In order to maintain supplies and securing availability and distribution of essential commodities, the Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 has been notified on 31.08.2001. The Order mainly contains provisions with regard to the following: -

• Identification of families below the poverty line;
• Ration cards;
• Scale and Issue price;
• Distribution of foodgrains;
• Licensing;
• Monitoring

The Order requires all State Governments/UTs to ensure correct identification of BPL and Antyodaya families. It also requires the State Governments/UTs to get the lists of BPL and Antyodaya families reviewed every year for the purpose of deletion of ineligible families and inclusion of eligible families. The State Governments/UTs are required to conduct periodical checking of ration cards to weed out ineligible and bogus ration cards. The State Governments/UTs are also required to issue Utilization Certificates confirming that the foodgrains have been lifted and distributed to the intended beneficiaries under the TPDS. An offence committed in violation of the provisions of this order shall invoke criminal liability under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.