Public Distribution System

Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain in August, which was not only 74% in excess of normal but also the highest the state has seen in the last 25 years. Experts warned the disaster could impact the country's public distribution system, apart from short-term paddy price inflation.

IT Dept conducts searches in 40 locations in TN connected to top 5 suppliers to PDS shops

This follows complaints from the public about the substandard quality of rice, jaggery, and other items in the Pongal gift hamper given to Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corp and produced by Arunachala Impex.

Food subsidy to be little less than Rs 4 lakh crore in FY22: Food Secretary

Under NFSA, the central government currently gives highly subsidised foodgrains at Rs 1-3 per kg to over 81 crore people through the public distribution system.

Ration card-related services now available at common services centres

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the food & public distribution department and CSC, to enable ration card services through 3.7 lakh CSCs across the country.

Free goodies for the well-off in southern states amid calls for universal PDS

Economists say that welfare schemes, particularly in the time of the pandemic, should be expanded so that needy people can get the benefit even if they are unable to access the central schemes

ED arrests 3 people in Nashik PDS foodgrain black marketing case worth Rs 177 crore

The ED case is based on a Nashik Police FIR and a subsequent charge sheet filed by it under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).

India set to make PDS location independent: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant at UN forum

Addressing the special event on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Acceleration Actions on the margins of 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Tuesday, Amitabh Kant said collective action through international cooperation is more relevant and important than ever before in these truly unprecedented times.

Tata Trusts, UP govt join hands to strengthen PDS system

Tata Trusts have tied up with Uttar Pradesh government to leverage digital platforms to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) in the state.

Haryana govt plans to link PDS with Aadhaar cards: Khattar

He announced a slew of projects and incentives worth Rs 150 crore and said that he would write to the Uttar Pradesh government to provide water for the farmers of Hasanpur area.

FCI to raise Rs 20,000-cr short-term loan

To meet out its short term fund requirement for procurement and distribution of food grains, the Corporation is considering raising short term loans from the scheduled Banks only for one month tenure, the FCI said in the tender document.

Hailstorm may damage 13 million tonnes wheat: Report

Assocham General Secretary D S Rawat has pitched for reducing import duty on wheat to a more reasonable level of 5 to 10 per cent so that parallel imports by private trade would ease pressure on government stocks and prices due to better availability.

Draft law to give legal backing to Aadhaar is ready: FM

Moderating the concluding session of the Delhi Economics Conclave, Finance Minister Arun Jatiley said, "I think" now across the political spectrum, state governments and political groups the need and utility for Aadhaar has been universally recognised.

SC allows voluntary use of Aadhar for MNREGA, Jan Dhan, EPF

However, the court has reiterated that people without Aadhar can not be placed in a disadvantageous position.

Aadhaar applicability row: Govt seeks early hearing

Various government bodies have requested the apex court to make Aadhaar compulsory for availing government services.

Govt caps kerosene subsidy at Rs 12/ltr, LPG at Rs 18/kg

Kerosene through public distribution system (PDS) is sold at Rs 14.96 per litre against the actual cost of Rs 29.91.

FinMin to give Rs 1,300 crore kerosene subsidy

The Finance Ministry will pay state-owned fuel retailers Rs 1,300 crore cash subsidy for kerosene for the first quarter ended June 30, but the same on LPG will be decided later.

Govt to cap kerosene subsidy at Rs 12/litre; retail same

Government has decided to cap the subsidy payout on kerosene at Rs 12 per litre but rates will not increase as upstream firms like ONGC will be asked to pay Rs 5,000-6,000 crore to maintain retail prices at the current level.

Ktaka govt to overhaul state PDS in 2015-16 Budget

This week will see the Karnataka government unveil its Budget for year 2015-16 and one of the most keenly awaited announcements is an overhaul of the state's public distribution system, reports CNBC-TV18's Poornima Murli and Pavni Mittal.

Govt to consider if tax payers should be out of PDS

The Modi government has asked states to try such a scheme and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will be discussing the issue with them. It has also given enough signals that the much-touted welfare food security programme of the UPA government will not be shelved.

Maharashtra to buy sugar for PDS distribution from open mkt

The government will buy sugar through e-tendering, the state cabinet decided in a meeting here.

Food security bill - Benefits beyond food provision: CRISIL

CRISIL Research has come out with its report on food security bill. The research firm believes that the proper implementation of the food security bill (FSB) will lower spending on foodgrains by below poverty line (BPL) households, and free up resources for spending on other goods and services, in particular health, education, and nutritious food.

Sugar sector stable; states free to buy in open mkt: Thomas

Food minister KV Thomas, in an interview to CNBC-TV18, says that the partial removal of the sugar decontrol would benefit the mills, the states and ultimately, the consumer. "Sugar production has stabilised over the past four years and sugar will continue to be disbursed through the public distribution system," he adds.

Food Security Bill may go up to Rs 1.25 lakh cr: Expert

Ashok Gulati, Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, feels that the government will go ahead with the revised Food Security Bill in the upcoming Budget. Talking to CNBC TV18, he said the cost of implementing the Bill is not going to be less than Rs 1.20-1.25 lakh crore.

Govt likely to push more reforms today

It is expected to rain more reforms as the Union Cabinet is set to meet today. A massive overhaul of the Public Distribution System is on the cards. Sources say the government is likely to pump in Rs 42,000 crore to check the leakage in the system.

Oil Ministry for hiking excise duty on diesel cars

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is demanding an increase in excise duty on diesel cars with a view to discouraging consumption of subsidised fuel by personal vehicle owners.