The Central Government has decided to make available 19.15 lac tons of sugar (levy sugar 2.14 lac tons and non-levy sugar 17.01 lac tons) for the month of November, 2011 as given below:-

Sl. No.	Particulars	Quantity (In Lac Tons)
1	Levy Sugar quota – A	2.14
2	Non-levy sugar quota
	a. Normal quota	17
	b. Availability out of white/refined sugar processed out of imported raw sugar during the month of September, 2011	0.01
	Total non-levy quota - B	17.01
3	Total (A+B)	19.15

This quantity of 19.15 lac tons is sufficient to meet the internal demand of sugar for the month of November, 2011.

The sugar factory shall sell/deliver and dispatch the entire non-levy quantity released for the month of November, 2011 as above only within the validity period of the release order i.e. upto 30.11.2011.

Source – Press Information Bureau, GOI website.

For more updates related to Public Distribution System and other Food and Public Distribution, keep visiting PDS Gaya's website and blog.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri K.V. Thomas today released Operational Report of FCI for the year 2010-11. It is first report of its kind since inception of FCI (Food Corporation of India) in 1965. The statistical information contained in this report is based on operational data of FCI.

Releasing the report, the Minister said the report is an initiative to bring more transparency in the working of FCI. He said that the report would serve as a single repository of information, which is handy at the same time comprehensive, highlighting the metro level operational data. He said efforts are being made to modernize the storage of foodgrains by adopting latest technology. Efforts are also being made to increase the storage capacity of FCI, which has been increased by 27.74 lakh tones during 2010-11.

According the report, FCI recorded an increase of 10% in the total movements of foodgrains during 2010-11 over last year. Movements to north-eastern region increased about 19%. During the year the FCI made record procurement and record allocations of foodgrains.

The Operational Report contained in eight chapters gives statistical data of stock, storage capacity, distribution & procurement.

This is according to a 21st October 2011 press released available on the website, Press Information Bureau. For other Public Distribution System Related information, visit PDS Gaya's website.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas has said that Indian Standards, wherever feasible, should be. It will help our industry to compete globally. Prof. Thomas was addressing a seminar on the occasion of celebrations of World Standards Day here today (14^th October 2011). He asked the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) to take periodic review and up gradation of Indian Standards, keeping in view consumer needs, health and safety aspects, environmental protection and the latest technological developments.

Highlighting the need of adopting International Standards, the Minister said that these Standards give manufacturers confidence to reach out to the global markets with the knowledge that their products will perform globally and users can obtain same services, wherever they travel. International Standards also promote the transfer of new technologies by facilitating market access for innovative solutions and by providing confidence to the users. Purchasing products or services complying with international standards assures the consumers that they can rely on the same and thereby makes their investments more secure, he added

The minister said that today, India is an important player in the global market. It is therefore important that, where exports are concerned, we make all efforts in adhering to the national/international standards and quality requirements so that our national image and commercial interests are enhanced and protected overseas. In the present era of the WTO, the national standards play a vital role. Further, as per WTO TBT agreement, to which India is also a signatory, the technical regulations are normally required to be based on international standards. Prof. Thomas urged the manufacturers and exporters to comply fully to the prescribed standards and regulations so that the international consumers and community have confidence in Indian manufactured goods and products,

The minister said that all the standardization efforts require active involvement of consumers. He expressed the hope that the BIS is conscious of its role in protecting consumer interests with the representation consumer bodies in its various Advisory and technical committees.

On the occasion, it was informed that BIS is formulating Indian Standards in line with the national priorities in a time bound manner. It has formulated over 18,600 Indian standards on diverse subjects, ranging from food, chemicals, engineering, textiles, to high technological areas of electronics. These standards are formulated through a network of technical committees comprising different stakeholders like representatives from industry, research and development organizations, consumers, testing and lab experts, government etc.

(Source – Press Information Bureau website)

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The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) achieved yet another record turnover of Rs.1030 crore during 2010-11 as against `988 crore achieved during the preceding year. Shri. B.B. Pattanaik, Managing Director, CWC presented a dividend cheque of `14.97 crore to Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution today (13th October 2011).

Congratulating CWC for its commendable performance, the Minister urged CWC to modernize its storage infrastructure and introduce mechanized handling of stocks at its warehouses.

CWC achieved highest ever Profit Before Tax (PBT) of `203.73 crore as against `163.88 crore during 2010-11, registering a growth of 24.32%.This could be possible due to addition of constructed storage capacity by 1.45 lakh MT and increase in overall capacity utilization (occupancy) to 88% as against 85% achieved during previous year. Keeping in view the national priority for safe preservation of food grains procured for Central Pool, utilization of capacity for storage of food grains was given adequate attention which increased from 48% during 2009-10 to 54% in 2010-11. CWC registered 10% growth in handling of 12.32 lakh TEUs during 2010-11 as against 11.21 lakh TEUs handled during 2009-10 and 6.4% increase in revenue earned out of Container Rail Transport operations and income under Pest Control activities also registered a growth of 12.66%.

Keeping in view the excellent financial results, CWC has declared highest ever dividend for the year 2010-11 @ 40%.

During the current financial year, CWC plans to construct storage capacity of about 2.09 lakh MT with a financial outlay of `78 crore in 11 States mainly for storage of food grains and construct Multi-Storeyed Warehouses in the Metro cities. CWC also plans to commence operations of Private Freight Terminals at its rail-based facilities at Bamanheri (UP) and Nabha (Punjab) besides setting up of Land Custom Station at Ghojadanga (West Bengal).

(Source – Press Information Bureau)

For more Public Distribution System related news, you may visit PDS Gaya's Blog again.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof. K.V Thomas has said that the Government is committed to enactment of the National Food Security Act to provide a statutory framework for assured food security to all. Addressing the Inaugural Session of a seminar organized by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) here today (12^th October 2011), the Minister said that the proposed legislation would be a paradigm shift in approach towards food security - from welfare based to rights based approach, involving legal obligation on the Government to deliver food entitlements. It will be a comprehensive effort, adopting a life-cycle approach, in providing food and nutritional security to people, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups (For example, people belonging to Below Poverty Line).

Highlighting the priority of the Government to provide food security to all, Prof. Thomas said that the draft Bill proposes to provide right to receive food grains at subsidized prices under the Targeted Public Distribution System by persons belonging to priority households and general households. It proposes coverage of up to 75% of the total rural population, with at least 46% population belonging to priority households and up to 50% of the total urban population, with at least 28% population belonging to priority households. Each person in priority households would be entitled to 7 kg food grains per month at a price of not exceeding `3 `2 or `1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains and 3 kg per person per month at a price of not exceeding 50% of the minimum support price for wheat and coarse grains and derived minimum support price for rice in general households.

The Food Minister said that the Bill also contains provisions for Nutritional support to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children, entitlements of special groups such as destitute persons, homeless and such other needy persons, emergency and disaster affected persons, persons living in starvation, etc.

He said, “The Central Govt. has held wide ranging consultations with various stakeholders, including State Governments and UT Administrations regarding the proposed Food Security legislation. Based on these consultations and comments/recommendations received, we have recently prepared a draft National Food Security Bill and the same has been placed on the website of the Ministry for comments/suggestions. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the Parliament shortly after taking into account the comments received from stakeholders and after appropriate consultations.”

Prof. Thomas said that implementation of the legislation which will place a major demand on agricultural production and related infrastructure is no doubt, going to be a challenging task. It would involve enhanced production of food grains, higher procurement, creation of additional storage facilities, rail-road infrastructure for movement of food grains and a streamlined distribution network. Based on the provisions of the draft Bill, the requirement of food grains for TPDS, Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) and natural calamities is estimated at about 61 million tons.

In order to cover a large section of rural as well as urban population, as envisaged in the proposed National Food Security Act, it is necessary to have sufficient stocks of food grains in the Central Pool for distribution. To meet the increased requirement of food grains, R&D efforts need to be intensified to ensure better yield from the available agricultural land. Development of modern farming technologies, high-yield varieties of seeds, efficient irrigation techniques are required to attain higher food grain production. The minister expressed confidence that Institutions like ICAR and IRRI are quite capable in meeting the challenges of research and development in the field of agriculture to ensure sustained implementation of the proposed legislation.

Government, NGOs, Research Institutions and other stakeholders must work together to make this momentous legislation a success so that the intended benefits reach the targeted beneficiaries, the minister added.

This is according to a news release available on the Press Information Bureau website. For more information related to Public Distribution System, visit PDS Gaya Website at www.pdsonline.in

PDS Gaya started assisting consumers through telephone helpline, email and web-based customer feedback. This is step taken up to ensure proper function of the public distribution system in the city.

The Nation Consumer Helpline hit record high number of calls this July and likewise, PDS Gaya's Helpline is also expecting increasing number of calls each passing time.

As per the NCH website, maximum calls were received from Delhi followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Break-up of calls in respect of top five States during March 2011 is as under:

S. No.	State	Complaints	% age of total calls
1	Delhi	4577	39.32
2	Maharashtra	1414	12.15
3	Uttar Pradesh	1364	11.72
4	Haryana	857	7.36
5	Rajasthan	598	5.14

The ‘Product’ sector contributed 11% of the total calls/complaints followed by Telecom, ‘Banking’ ‘LPG’, ‘and ‘Insurance’ registering between 10% -2 % complaints.

As per feedback received from 703 callers, 640 complaints were resolved under convergence with various companies.

Consumers from across the country can access the toll free National Consumer Help Line 1800-11-400 and seek telephonic counseling for consumer related problems faced by them. The Consumer Helpline also provides information, advice and guidance related to consumer issues. Complaints can be registered also on the website www.nationalconsumerhelpline.in

The above has been cited to let people know how online and telephonic feedback of customers can be helpful in making them satisfied with services and products provided to them. Therefore, we encourage people to feel free to contact PDS Gaya's consumer helpline at +916312220903. One can also email at complaints@gayapds.bih.nic.in citing the reason of the complaint. PDS Gaya helpline will also provide information, advice and guidance related to Public Distribution System issues. Complaints can also be registered on the PDS Gaya website.

(With inputs from Press Information Bureau, GOI)

Antyodaya Scheme is launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on the 25^th of December 2000 (then Atal Bihari Vajpayee). The objective of the scheme would be to create a hunger free India and to bring about positive changes in the Public Distribution System throughout the country.

Utmost priority is given to poorest of poor families both in rural and urban areas of the country. This is the reflection of the Government's struggle to eliminate hunger from the face of it's citizens (it is sad that most of us fail to understand and make use of this scheme in the wrong way). This scheme is for those people who are unable to acquire 2 square meals a day. The number of such families is estimated to be over 5% of the whole country's population.

Those families entitled for this scheme will be provided 35 Kg of Food-grains per month. Food-grains i.e. rice and wheat will be provided by the Government of India at the rate of `3 per Kg. and `2 per Kg. respectively (rates however will be subjected to change as per time).

PDS Gaya understands this and will be trying whatever we can to satisfy our people.

To know more on who are eligible for the scheme, visit back later or visit PDS Gaya official website.

Public Distribution System Gaya, makes most PDS related information available on its site. Today's post is about Antyodaya Scheme's Ration Card with which poorest of poor families can get daily commodities in a really low rate. Below is provided a brief information about the Antyodaya Ration Card.

Issue Of Antyodaya Ration Cards

The designated authority issues the ration cards known as “Antyodaya Ration Card” to the Antyodaya families after identification. Each ration card has necessary details about the Antyodaya family and the scale of ration.

 How and Where to apply?

This scheme is for the poorest of poor families. Therefore, families hence included in this category should apply for the scheme as provided below.

For rural areas. applicants will have to apply on a plain paper with details of every family member and their income to the Panchayat Pradhan of their area. The Gram Sabha will decide whether the family is eligible for the scheme or not. If approved by the Gram Sabha, the family will be further approved by the Department of Rural Development, Bihar (in case of Bihar) and the ration card will be issued by the Pradhan/DFSC or after the approval of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.

For urban areas, applicant will have to apply for the scheme on plain paper to the Notified Area Committee. List of selected families will be further approved by the Urban Development Department and the ration card will be issued by the concerned DFSC/Authorized Inspector of a particular area.

Documents Needed For Application

1. Certificate stating that the application is or was not holding any ration card. Affidavit supporting that the applicant didn't hold any ration card previously must be submitted.

2. Income certificate of the family issued by the concerned Patwari.

No form is needed to be filled nor fees will be charged for the application.

The information is taken from PDS Gaya website, visit the site for more schemes information.

Foodgrains stock in the country with the Government procurement agencies as on 1st July, 2011was 640.06 lakh tonnes comprising 268.57 lakh tonnes of rice and 371.49 tonnes of wheat.

The procurement of rice as on July 1, 2011 (KMS 2010-11) was 316.07 lakh tonnes as against 297.47 lakh tonnes procured last kharif season. Wheat procurement for Ravi Marketing Season 2011-12 was 278.38 lakh tonnes as against 224.72 lakh tonnes procured last in season.

The off take of rice in all schemes, during June, 2011, has been 28.10 lakh tonnes. This comprises 19.04 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 9.06 lakh tonnes under other schemes. The total off take of wheat has been 20.59 lakh tonnes comprising of 14.74 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 5.85 lakh tonnes under other schemes.

The total allotment of rice during June, 2011, under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including BPL (Below Poverty Line), APL (Above Poverty Li ne)and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) was 22.02 lakh tonnes, against which the total offtake was 19.04 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage offtake of 86.5 percent. The BPL allotment of rice was 9.68 lakh tonnes, against which the offtake was 9.65 lakh tonnes, representing percentage off take 99.7 per cent.

In respect of AAY the allotment during the month was 5.75 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.55 lakh tonnes, which represents 99.6 percent off take. The total allotment of wheat under TPDS including BPL, APL and AAY was 19.54 lakh tonnes, against which the total off take was 14.74 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage 75.4 percent off take. The BPL allotment of wheat was 4.85 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.41 lakh tonnes representing an off take of 111.6 per cent. In respect of AAY, the allotment was 2.79 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 2.74 lakh tonnes, which represents 98.1 percent off take.

Source – Press Information Bureau

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