The Public Distribution System (PDS) in Lakshadweep is operated through 29 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in 10 Islands. Deputy Collectors /BDOs in the respective Island are the Food Supply Officers. The 29 Fair Price Shops across Lakshadweep in 10 islands are determined by its population and geographical area. Given unique geographical challenges, the Government of India allocates rice annually. Sugar is now allocated specifically for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries. The kerosene oil is also distributed through PDS in Bitra and Chetlat Islands where LPG distribution is not yet started. All the remaining 8 inhabited islands have been declared as kerosene free w.e.f 1st July, 2022. The PDS commodities are procured from central agencies such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) based on the allocation orders of the Government of India, and Kerosene oil from the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL). These commodities are transported to the Islands through the Cargo ships operated by the Port Department of UT of Lakshadweep Administration. The food grains are lifted from the designated FCI depot (FSD) at Andrott Island. The essential commodities are stored in government godowns in the islands as well as godowns in cooperative sector. These essential commodities are distributed to the consumers in the Islands through Fair Price Shops in the radius of less than 1.5 Kilometre in the islands. The department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs is also the facilitating the lifting and transporting of other welfare Scheme of the Central Govt. PM POHSAN (Mead Day Meals) of Education Department and SNP of Women & Child Development.
The department facilitate the implementation of following Central Government Schemes.
- National Food Security Act. 2013 (NFSA)
- One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)
- Pradan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
- Scheme for Modernisation And Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMARTPDS)
Items supplied under Public Distribution System (PDS)
| Name of commodities | Category | Scale of issue (in kgs) | Selling price
per Kg/Ltr |
Allocation (MT) |
| Rice | Tide Over (APL) | • 6 Kg/person/month for Adults above 12 years
• 2 Kg/person/month for children between 01 to 12 years. |
₹ 12.00 | 3097.80 |
| PHH | 5 Kg per head per month. | Free of cost (PMGKAY) (Earlier ₹ 3/Kg) | 1080.78 | |
| AAY | 35 Kg per Ration card per month. | 441.42 | ||
| Annapurna | 10 Kg of rice per month to indigent senior citizens aged 65 or above | Free of cost | NIL | |
| Sugar | AAY | 1 Kg per Ration Card per month | ₹ 13.50 | 15 |
| Kerosene Oil | Chetlat & Bitra –
All category |
1 Litre per head per month | ₹ 77.00 | NIL |
LPG
In the UT of Lakshadweep, LPG distribution has been introduced in Kavaratti during 1989 and in Minicoy Island during 1992. In the Islands of Kadmat and Amini, it was introduced in 2017, Andrott in 2018, Kiltan and Agatti in 2020 and Kalpeni in 2021. In 2020, a new LPG godown with 15,000 Kg capacity was constructed in Kavaratti and made functional. The Port Department, UTLA is operating 2 dedicated LPG carrier ships with a capacity of 2000 Cylinder each viz. MV Elikalpeni and MV Ganga. In addition as and when required, LPG cylinders are transported through UTLA cargo ships also. LPG godowns in Chetlat and Bitra are ready and waiting for PESO License.
The LPG Godowns in 8 Islands have been handed over to IOCL on lease basis for effective distribution of LPG cylinder to consumers.
POL RETAIL OUTLET AND BULK STORAGE DEPOT DETAILS
The POL Retail Outlet and POL Bulk Storage Depot has been setup in Kavaratti and Minicoy during 2021.The POL Retail Outlet in Andrott and Kalpeni during 2022. The Port department of UTLA is operating one dedicated Oil carrier ship viz. “MV Thilakkam”, with a capacity of 180 KL.
Setting up of POL Storage Depot in Andrott and POL Retail Outlets in the Islands of Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Amini and Agatti are in progress.
Electric Vehicle Charger installed at Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kalpeni.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Consumer Redressal Commissions viz. Lakshadweep State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Lakshadweep District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission are functioning in the UT of Lakshadweep under Clause (1) of Section 42 and Clause (1) of section 28 of Consumer Protection Act 2019.
A consumer can file case in the Lakshadweep State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Lakshadweep District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission through e-Jagriti portal (https://e-jagriti.gov.in/), you’ll need to register, log in, and then navigate to the “File New Case” section. There, you’ll select the appropriate case type (e.g., Consumer Complaint) and fill in the required details, including complainant and opposite party information, and upload necessary documents.
Also for assistance call Toll Free Number: 1800-425-6247