States must form committees to ensure transparent PDS: Centre

Centre has asked states to set up vigilance committees to ensure transparency in supply of food grains through ration shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
"States have been requested to set up vigilance committees at district, block and FPS level with due representation of SCs/STs, women and local bodies to ensure transparency and proper functioning of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)," Paswan said in a Food Ministry statement.
Chairing the meeting of a Parliamentary Committee on food and consumer affairs in Guwahati, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan informed the members that the government has started elimination of bogus ration cards and computerisation of supply chain.

Besides, states have also being asked to host a toll free common number for grievance registration and a web portal for PDS, the Minister added.
Paswan also assured that strengthening the TPDS in North East is a priority for the government.
Regarding implementation Food Security Act, Paswan told members of the committee that eleven states have implemented the Act. Remaining states have conveyed that identification of beneficiaries and other preparatory work is being completed for the implementation.
Meanwhile, the minister also said that under the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (BIS) Bureau of Indian Standers is developing standards for solid waste management and also promoting the use of available Indian Standards on street food and public supply of potable drinking water.

The meeting was also attended by the MPs who are part of the committee and senior officials of the Ministry, BIS and Food Corporation of India (FCI).