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The Centre submitted that the states have also favoured

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Press Trust of India
setting up of state-level corporation for PDS. While accepting that there would be additional burden on the states, the bench said, "There was a need for effective measures to streamline the entire PDS as there is an uncertainty when the bill will become a law". It asked the Attorney General to explore administratively the mechanism to implement the salient features of NFSB. "Can you administratively and from the executive point of view bring the suggestions as the bill envisages. The bill has given a road map for the future. It is a treasury bench's bill. "You are legislatively bringing the system. You administratively provide some structure instead of we giving some directions," the bench told Vahanvati. "You should have the vision what to shape up as per the bill. We are only concerned with the effectiveness of the system," it said. When the Attorney General said the only aim was that the foodgrains should reach to the real beneficiaries, the bench mentioned the targeted public distribution system envisaged by Tamil Nadu and Jammu Kashmir governments and the distribution of foodgrains through registered women's self-help groups like Mahila Mandal in Chhattisgarh which have proved effective. Vahanvati said the Parliamentary Committee has given a report on the bill and the government has to take a decision and hoped that NFSB will see the light of the day in the budget session of Parliament. The bench, which posted the matter for further hearing on March 4, said it wanted to put an end to the PIL on the issue which has been in the apex court for last 12 years and also wanted to give relief to the Wadhwa Committee which has been working for last six years.

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First Published: Feb 08 2013 | 7:01 PM IST

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