Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who oversees Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, has announced that the central government has instructed all State governments to meticulously verify beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS) before removing any ineligible individuals. He emphasized that this process must involve comprehensive checks.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi after participating in a cleanliness drive to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, Mr. Joshi explained that these directives come in response to the discovery of numerous ineligible beneficiaries nationwide.
He stressed that the removal process should leverage technology to prevent potential harassment by officials and ensure absolutely no discrimination against beneficiaries.
Mr. Joshi clarified his stance, stating he does not oppose the removal of genuinely ineligible beneficiaries, but rather the erroneous removal of those who are rightfully entitled to the benefits. He further noted that the criteria for beneficiary removal would be determined by individual State governments, not the Union government.
Additionally, he confirmed that no instructions have been issued specifically for removing individuals who file income tax returns from the PDS lists. Any such decision rests with the State governments. He reiterated that a general directive for a five-year revision of beneficiary lists, which is a mandatory process, has been issued.
On a separate note, Mr. Joshi mentioned that the nationwide cleanliness drive, currently underway to commemorate Prime Minister Modi’s birthday (as the Prime Minister prefers not to celebrate his birthday conventionally), is scheduled to continue until October 2.
Following these remarks, Mr. Joshi proceeded to participate in several other programs throughout Dharwad district, all organized as part of the Prime Minister’s birthday observances.