Involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions

Introduction

The Government feels that the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) should be strengthened to ensure its proper coverage and make it more efficient. It is also felt that the system should be transparent and accountable with built-in provisions for social audit. The Government of India feels that there is a complete lack of information to the citizens with regard to functioning of the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) leading to a large number of malpractices. Another area needing improvement seems to be in the issue of the ration cards to the targeted group. Yet another problem seems to be that the wrong set of people maybe drawing rations and other commodities at BPL rates, which are highly subsidised. It is felt that a more transparent and accountable system with provision of social audit can eliminate most of the ills of the system. It is felt that a set of simple administrative measures would go a long way in reforming the system. They are enumerated in the following paragraphs:-

Right of information regarding the Fair Price Shops (FPSs)

The villagers and interested persons should have the right to know the address of the FPSs along with the number of cards attached to each of them. Each FPS should also maintain the basic information with regard to each of the cards like the name of the card holder, the number of units of each card and the identity of the residence of the card holder. The details of BPL cards should be marked distinctly.

B.P.L. beneficiaries

The list of BPL beneficiaries should also be displayed on the fair price shop and the office of the Gram Panchayat for public scrutiny. This will help in elimination of undeserving families which may be drawing B.P.L. supplies at highly subsidised rates.

Right of consumers with regard to certain information

The consumers have also the right to know the per capita entitlement of each of the commodities being distributed under the TPDS. They also need to be informed about the price of the commodities. This information is liable to change from time to time. For example, the entitlement of sugar may increase during festival seasons or there may be supply of additional items which are not usually supplied in the area. Entitlements may also be affected on account of natural calamities. Arrangements need to be made for this information to be passed on to the consumer. The possible modes could be the publicity through the local newspapers, a notice to be pasted in the office of the Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Tehsils etc. The official audio visual media may also be utilised to achieve this objective.

Display of stock position

The date of arrival of the commodities, as also the stock position on each of the days is an important information which should be displayed prominently on the FPS. It should also display the price of each of the commodities. Non-fulfilment of this provision should be a serious matter.

Furnishing the copies of certain documents concerning PDS to interest groups

Each FPS maintains ration card register, stock register and sale register. Each page of the register should have a tear-off page, so that at the time the entries are being made, a copy is easily and automatically made on the tear-off by inserting carbon. This can easily be detached from the register and the copy sent to the Gram Panchayats. The tear-off should be available for inspection by any interest group in the premises of the Panchayats. If anybody wishes to take its copies for the purposes of cross-checking, it should be made available by charging nominal fees. The fee should be no more than the cost of making the copies. The State Governments should evolve guidelines for manner in which the copies of the FPS documents which may be indented by any interested person from the Gram Panchayats should be made (manually, photocopying etc.) and by whom. The time period should be fixed in which such documents will be delivered to the indentor.