Call toll-free and lodge your PDS complaint

“As the number becomes popular,we hope to ensure better transparency and monitoring of the system,” said Thomas.

Unlike the NREGS call centre,there will be a toll-free number for the PDS call centre. Orders have already been issued to display the number at every fair price shop,block offices as well as the panchayat offices.

The callers can dial the number (see box) and lodge their complaint. They can also inquire for information related to PDS.

According to the current pattern,the complaints are directly diverted to the officer concerned. The time and the date of the complaint is registered in the server and the officer is expected to answer to the minor complaints within 48 hours and start the action on major complaints within the same time period.

“Strict orders have been issued to dispose of the complaints within 48 hours and in case of serious complaints,which requires investigation,concerned officers have to show all the action taken in those 48 hours,” said Thomas.

Though the call centre has already started,it is yet to be connected to a web-based programme like the Chhattisgarh model,whereby the complaints lodged are entered in a web-based application and can be monitored quickly at all levels.

According to sources,work is on to complete the web-based connectivity within the next 20 days. Chhattisgarh had started its separate call centre for PDS in January last year and has already received a good response.

PDS Call Centre Report

Toll-free number: 1800-180-5046

Last 15 days record

Calls received concerning PDS: 605

General calls for seeking

information: 115

Total number of complaints: 490

Complaints disposed of: 110