CHANDIGARH: Apparently impressed with targeted public distribution system (TPDS) of BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, Haryana’s Manohar Lal Khattar government has decided to examine the same to find out its relevance to the state.
Haryana additional chief secretary (food and supplies) S S Prasad told TOI that they would soon send a team to Chhattisgarh to study the PDS system. "It we found it relevant for Haryana, then it would be implemented here also," he added. Haryana officials have come to know that the Chhatisgarh model has succeeded to check pilferage in the distribution system, especially remote areas inhabited by tribals. "Chhatisgarh government has installed Global Positioning Systems on vehicles – which are used to supply ration in different areas – to know whether the vehicles have reached their right destination, "said an official.
In 2013, the Supreme Court had sought the Centre’s comment on the Raman Singh government’s model of TPDS implementation after People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) had approached the apex court arguing that it could be taken as a model for other states. PUCL counsel Colin Gonsalves had stated in the SC that Chhattisgarh had abolished privately run fair price shops, which had become dens of corruption as food grain meant for the poorest of the poor was diverted to the open market by unscrupulous elements.