Aadhaar based biometric authentication
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1356
ANSWERED ON-29.12.2017
Aadhaar based biometric authentication
1356 . Shri D. Raja
(a) whether Government is aware that the imposition of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication (ABBA) has derailed the Public Distribution System in Jharkhand resulting in several starvation deaths of marginalised people such as single women, manual labourers and elderly persons due to denying them ration for their failure to link their ration card to Aadhaar; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by Central Government to see that the Government of Jharkhand puts in place the safeguards prescribed by the Central Government in its 24 October, 2017 order?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): The Government of Jharkhand has informed that there have been media reports of starvation deaths in Jharkhand, but on inquiry, the allegations of death due to starvation have not been substantiated.
(b): Central Government in the Department of Food and Public Distribution issued detailed instructions to all the States/UTs vide D.O. letter No. 1(8)/2017-PD-II dated 24.10.2017 to ensure strict compliance with the provisions contained in the Notification SO No. 371[E] dated 8.2.2017 [as amended from time to time] to prevent denial of foodgrains to the eligible beneficiaries under NFSA as per their entitlement. Besides, the Department has been in constant dialogue with the State on the issue and the need for effective enforcement of the measures for improvement in the functioning of PDS was further emphasised vide D.O. letter No. 1(8)/2017-PD-II dated 12.12.2017 to the Chief Secretary, Jharkhand.
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Source – Rajya Sabha