Latest news with #PublicDistributionSystem
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
TN asks Centre to release Rs 2,670 crore in pending dues
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has requested the union government to release pending dues amounting to Rs 2,670.64 crore. These dues relate to expenses incurred by the state for paddy procurement, rice fortification, and subsidies for ragi and sugar. Of the roughly 2.25 crore ration cards in Tamil Nadu, the cost of supplying rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to 1.12 crore cards (covering 3.6 crore beneficiaries) is fully borne by the centre under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Of the total outstanding dues of Rs 2,670.64 crore, a sum of Rs 2,181.88 crore has been carried over from the financial years 2016-17 to 2020-21. Additionally, Rs 431.55 crore is pending as subsidy for ration cards that were migrated within Tamil Nadu during the same period. In relation to the supply of fortified rice, the state government incurred an expenditure of Rs 244.06 crore, of which the centre has released only Rs 197.26 crore, leaving a balance of Rs 46.80 crore. Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani submitted a memorandum on this matter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, on Wednesday. According to official sources, the centre disburses funds to the state at regular intervals under various heads, including procurement, milling, and distribution of rice through the PDS. These disbursals are based on claims submitted via the online portal
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anbumani accuses DMK government of failing to fulfil promises on PDS reform
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday (June 26, 2025) condemned the ruling DMK for 'failing' to fulfil poll promises pertaining to reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS). In a statement, he said Tamil Nadu currently has 37,328 ration shops operating under various departments, including Cooperatives and Food. This multi-departmental structure has led to disparities in work conditions, pay, and benefits for employees, he alleged. The DMK, in its manifesto for the 2021 Assembly election, had promised to bring all ration shops under a single administrative department. 'However, more than 50 months since assuming office, that promise remains unfulfilled. As a result, the hardships faced by ration shop employees continue unabated,' Dr. Anbumani said. Referring to other poll promises of the DMK with respect to reforms in the PDS, such as distributing goods in packed bundles, resuming supply of black gram, and providing an extra kilogram of sugar, Dr. Anbumani said they have been 'completely ignored'. He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to immediately take steps to fulfil all the promises made by the DMK in the run-up to the 2021 Assembly poll.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Two errant traders arrested; 79.3 quintals of PDS rice seized
The Adilabad One Town police on Tuesday arrested two errant traders for allegedly selling Public Distribution System (PDS) rice in the guise of rice of different popular brand names in the market. The police identified the arrested accused as G. Rajeshwar and Shaik Ayub, both kirana merchants of Shivaji Chowk area in Adilabad town. One more accused Shaik Aslam of Chilukuri Lakshminagar is at large, police said. The police seized 79.3 quintals of PDS rice packed in as many as 326 bags from the possession of the arrested accused. The errant traders were booked on charges of misappropriation of the rice meant for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and duping customers to make a quick buck.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
56 people detained under Goondas Act for PDS rice smuggling in Tamil Nadu, says IG
Inspector General of Police (IG) for Civil Supplies CID (CS-CID), Rubesh Kumar Meena, said that in the past five months, 56 people, who were arrested for Public Distribution System (PDS) rice smuggling, were detained under the provisions of the Goondas Act in the State. The IG inspected the CS-CID office at Keerambur in Namakkal district on Saturday. Later, Mr. Rubesh told reporters that to prevent crimes related to civil supplies, inspections were being carried out in four zones in the State. Already, inspections had been carried out in Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Karur districts. In the past five months, 878 metric tonnes of PDS rice worth ₹1.06 crore were seized from smugglers. A total of 5,120 cases were registered and 4,608 people were arrested. From the offenders, 1,099 vehicles, including 434 four-wheelers, were seized. As PDS rice was smuggled across inter-State borders, monitoring increased in the border districts near Kerala and Karnataka. Stern action would be taken if PDS rice was used for feeding chickens in poultry farms, the IG warned.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Illegal ration rice trade rampant in Kurnool, CPI raise concerns
Pathikonda: Illegal transportation and black-marketing of ration rice have emerged as a serious concern in Pathikonda mandal of Kurnool district. Despite the government's well-intentioned efforts to ensure food security for the underprivileged through the Public Distribution System (PDS), a network of ration dealers and traders is reportedly diverting the subsidised rice for commercial gain. According to reliable sources, several ration dealers are indulging in manipulative practices including under-weighing and misreporting to create surplus stocks. Additionally, rice is being collected from some beneficiaries who sell their quota due to financial distress or lack of awareness. This rice is then supplied illegally to local rice mills and grocery stores, feeding a parallel black-market economy. As the nexus between ration dealers, traders, and millers grows stronger, genuine beneficiaries are left in the lurch. The State government has mandated that each beneficiary family should receive ration supplies for at least 15 days per month. However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. In several villages of Pathikonda and Devanakonda mandals, residents report that they are either receiving reduced quantities or are being told that stock is unavailable. Local officials, especially in Devanakonda, are being accused of conducting superficial inspections and turning a blind eye to the malpractice. 'Their checks appear more like a formality than a serious attempt to enforce the law,' allege residents. Raising his voice against this growing menace, CPI District Committee Member M Narasa Rao has strongly condemned the failure of the local administration to curb the illegal trade. Speaking to the media, he said, 'It is deeply unfortunate that the rice intended for the poor is being diverted to the open market. The ration system was introduced to protect the food rights of economically weaker sections, but today it has become a profitable business for a few corrupt individuals.' He further added, 'We have received several complaints from people across villages in Pathikonda and Devanakonda mandals. They are either being denied their rightful ration or being pressured to sell it. This is a violation of their basic rights and an insult to the government's welfare policies.' 'Those found guilty, including dealers and traders involved in this illegal racket, must face strict legal consequences. The government should implement a robust monitoring mechanism and involve local communities and party representatives in vigilance efforts,' he emphasized. 'This rice is meant for your families. Selling it might give short-term money, but it only strengthens this illegal network and weakens the system meant to support you,' he appealed. With public outrage growing, the onus is now on the district authorities to restore faith in the ration distribution system and ensure that essential commodities reach the intended beneficiaries without leakage, corruption, or delay.
