Chapter

II

Highlights of this chapter:

2.1 History of the Miraj tahsil

2.2 Rate of literacy in Miraj tahsil

2.3 Occupational structure in Sangli district

2.4 Position of ration shops in Miraj tahsil

2.5 System of new ration card

2.6 FCI storage capacity in Miraj tahsil

2.7 Quantities allotted and offtake of foodgrain

2.8 Conclusion

Public Distribution System in

Miraj Tahsil

2.1 History of the Miraj tahsil:

Before the independence there was only Satara district. After the independence in 1949

the Tasgaon, Khanpur, Walwa and Shriala these 4 tahsils of Satara district and Jat and

Miraj from other district jointly North Satara district were formed. Further in 21st

November 1960 this district is renamed with Sangli district. At the time of establishment

of Sangli district there was total 6 tahsils.

In 1965 the Miraj and Khanapur tahsils has made sub division and Kavetemankal and

Atpadi these new tahsils were formed. In addition to this on 1st July 1999 the Tasgaon

and Khanapur tahsils has made sub division and Palus tahsil were newly formed. Further

division of Palus and Tasgaon tahsils are made and new Kadegoan tahsil were formed in

28th March 2002. At present the Sangli district has 10 tahsils – that are Miraj, Jat,

Kavetemankal, Atpadi, Tasgaon, Khanpur, Kadegoan, Palus, Walwa and Shriala. In the

district there are 4 Mahanagar – Palika’s are working today viz – Vita, Miraj, Islampur

and Tasgoan. Study selected Miraj tahsil is one of the biggest tahsil in the Sangli district.

The district lies in between 16.450 to 17.220 to south latitudes and 73.420 to 75.400 to east

latitudes. The Miraj tahsil lies in southern part of the Sangli district. Out of the total

Sangli district’s geographical area of 8575.85 sq. kilometers the Miraj tahsil has remained

938.85 sq. kilometers of geographical area. Approximately the district width has north to

west 205 kilometers and east to south has 99 kilometers.

The district has 554 meters of height from the surface of the sea. North side of the Sangli

district is Vijapur district of Karnataka state. East side of the Sangli distric t has

Ratanagari district is situated. West side of the district Sangli district Satara district is

situated. Where as south side of Sangli district has Kolhapur direct is situated. The Sangli

district head quarter is situated at Sangli. Through the roadway and railway line Sangli

district is connected with the major metropolitan cities like Channi, Bangolar, Ajmer,

Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Tamil Nadu. National Highway number 4 is passes away

from the district.

The tahsil has a small piece of the Deccan plateau. Topographically, the tahsil can be

divided in to two zones. First zone consists of western part of the tahsil. This zone is very

fertile with plain deep fertile black cotton soil. The rivers like Krishna and Warna flows

through this part. River Yerala flows on the northern side of the Miraj tahsil. This part of

the tahsil is one of the best agriculture in region. Sangli, Miraj and Kupawad are the

major cities, which are situated on the banks of the Krishna river.

Second part of the tahsil lies in the eastern part. This part consists of red colored rocky

soil. This part has low quality grass, which is grown and shallow soils are found in the

part. This part is consists of small venires. In between these venires the upper part is

known as barren red rocky soil. This part of the area is not so advanced in agriculture.

The soil of the tahsil is derived from Deccan trap. In the eastern part the depth of soil is

only 15 centimeters. This soil is useful to grow pulses, cereals and groundnut. The soil in

western part is very deep and fertile. Most probably this soil is used to grow commercial

crops, like sugarcane, soybean etc.

Miraj tahsil comes under the shadow of north south rows of the Sahyadri Sub Mountains.

The rain falls during the period of monsoon is from June to October. Some times in May

and November rain fall showers occasionally. The average rain fall in the Miraj tahsil is

in between the range of from 635 millimeter to 650 millimeter. From the mid February to

mid June the period is known as summer season. In this period the temperature touches

from 370 C to 470 C.

Climatically this tahsil is the drought prone area of the Maharashtra state. The rains are

not certain in respect of time and quantity. This causes shortages of water for plants and

drinking purpose. Some of the tahsil in the Sangli district has declared as famines of

water in summer season. However, in the western part of the district perennial rivers

flows, hence this part does not experience draughts. On the other hand the eastern part

experience scarcity of rainfalls. The sever rain falls are occasionally occurring for every 2

to 3 years in a set of five years period.

As per the census of 2001 Sangli district has a total population of 2583525. It includes

1320088 of male population and 1263437 of female population. In the population Sangli

district remained at 15th number in all over the Maharashtra.

In the total district the population per village was found 2692. Out of the total district

population a maximum 29 percent of the population lives in Miraj tahsil and a minimum

5 percent of the population lives in Atpadi tahsil.

List of the survey conducted villages in Miraj tahsil

Sr. No. Village Sr. No. Village

1. Ankali 2. Malgaon

3. Arag 4. Malwadi

5. Bamani 6. Manemodi

7. Bamnoli 8. Mhaisal

9. Bedag 10. Kumbhoje

11. Belanki 12. Digraj mouje

13. Bhose 14. Nandra

15. Bisur 16. Narwad

17. Bolwad 18. Nilaji

19. Budhgaon 20. Padmale

21. Dudhgaon 22. Patgaon

23. Erandoli 24. Appachiwadi

25. Gundewadi 26. Rasulwadi

27. Haripur 28. Salgare

29. Inam Dhamani 30. Sambarwadi

31. Janaraowadi 32. Samdoli

2.2 Rate of literacy in Miraj tahsil:

Due to modernization of the education system the actual growth of the literacy rate was

found. But the growth is so poor than usually it has. Thus proper planning and

implementation of the education policies should begins the revolution in the literacy

ratio. If the last two decade literacy rate in Miraj tahsil was taken in to consideration only

4.06 percent growth was found.

33. Kadamwadi 34. Kupwad

35. Kakadwadi 36. Savali

37. Kalambi 38. Savalwadi

39. Kanadwadi 40. Sherikavathe

41. Karnal 42. Sangliwadi

43. Karoli 44. Shindewadi

45. Kasabe digraj 46. Soni

47. Khotwadi 48. Takali

49. Kavalapur 50. Tanang

51. Kavathepiran 52. Tung

53. Khandobachiwadi 54. Vaddi

55. Khrkatwadi 56. Mallewadi

57. Namani khatav 58. Madhavnagar

59. Laxmiwadi 60. Lingnur

This growth is so poor that it should be happened with in particularly one year. In the

Miraj tahsil due to lack of infrastructural facilities the schools and colleges remained

vacant, and students get attracted in metropolitan cities. Thus the problem of illiteracy

remains as it is.

Today’s education system forces to the students to accept the job. After taking the

education of graduate or post graduate degree each and every student enters in to the

market for job searching. Later on some days he realized that my knowledge is not

enough to face the practical problems. It causes in the society for the educational

unemployment. Thus further it reflects on the problem of social inequalities. Now really

it has to finds out that today’s student in examinee or knowledgeable. Presently student is

just engaging on giving the examination and not gaining any thing else from the

education system.

The following table represents the last two decade literacy rate in Miraj tahsil. The table

figure includes only more than 7 year old population. As per the table the male

population literacy rate growth is too slow than the female. In the decade the female

literacy rate growth was 5.89 percent, while the male literacy rate growth was only 5.89

percent. In the BPL population the literacy rate has constant. Due to scares poor the

population remains illiterate.

Table 2.1

Last decade rate of literacy in Miraj tahsil (percent)

Source: Census of India

Particulars 2001 2011

Male 90.01 92.42

Female 73.74 79.63

Total 82.06 86.12

2.3 Occupational structure in Sangli district:

Out of the total population in Sangli district the classification were made on the basis of

rural and urban population. The mainly occupation in rural area is agricultural and other

related business. On the other hand in the urban area due to shortage of irrigated land the

main the main occupation is salaried employed. Due to increasing trend of the

employment sector, the population are neglected to wards the agriculture sector. As a

result the agriculture sector remains backwards. The data computed in the following table

is of occupation structure in Sangli district:

Table 2.2

Occupational structure in Sangli district

Source: 1. Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Maharashtra

2. District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

Type of household Rural sector Urban sector

Other than agriculture sector self

employed population 10.02 31.10

Agricultural labor 33.90 04.30

Other than agriculture sector

salaried labor 05.50 52.10

Self employed in agriculture 37.50 3.00

Others 13.08 9.50

Total 100 100

The above data is concerning of 2006-2007. In the rural area out of the total population

about 71.40 percent of the population is reliable on the agriculture and other related

business. It means that the most of the population is having the farm in the rural sector.

More on this most of the people in rural area are not thinking any thing without farming

as the main business.

On the other hand due to urbanization in the urban sector the land under cultivation is

constantly decreasing. Thus most of the population are attracted to wards salaried

employed. Most of the people in the urban area were sold their agricultural land due to

some of the basic problems is the agriculture sector and accepts as employee in other

sector.

In the other than agriculture self employed sector almost 10 percent of the rural

population was engaged. This is one of the good sign for the economy development. On

the other hand in the urban area around 31 percent of the population remained at self

employment sector. On the city level the self employment scheme is very popular and

favorite among the population.

Most less occupation of the population, sector in urban area were found in self employed

in agriculture that was only 3 percent. If the population has no agriculture land then

obtusely the agricultural labor goes on decreasing. Thus, only 4.30 percent of the

population remains on the agriculture sector labor in urban areas.

2.4 Position of ration shops in Miraj tahsil:

As far as coverage of cardholders is concerned total population of the Miraj tahsil is

8,54,175 as per census of 2011. Out of which 3,25,654 is settled in rural area and

5,28,521 in urban area. There were 5,12,408 card holders in Sangli district. Out of which

Miraj tahsils share is 1,59,513 card holders. In the Sangli district there are 1399 ration

shops and in the Miraj tahsil there are 132 fair price shops. Majority of card holders

belongs to Miraj tahsil that is nearly 28 percent. While this study, it was also found that

an average number of card holders per fair price shop is 298. In Sangli district a highest

number of card holders per FPS, was found in Palus tahsil that was 499. As per the

practical aspect is concerned the average number of card holder per FPS is large in size.

Due to rush on FPS many times conflict is arises in between beneficiaries. The number of

FPS is widely increasing in Sangli district as well as in the Miraj tahsil. This is a good

sign for the rapidly increasing population. It further helps to distribute the proper

foodgrain among the proper targeted poor.

Table 2.3

Sangli district: tahsil wise distribution of FPS and ration card holders

Tahsil Number

of FPS

Ration card

holders

Average number of

card holder per FPS

Miraj 360 117341 326

Jat 185 54358 294

Kavetemankal 106 20861 197

Atpadi 90 21340 237

Tasgaon 102 36039 353

Khanpur 112 25380 227

Kadegoan 83 23755 286

Palus 54 26902 499

Walwa 186 64073 344

Source: District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

The number of FPSs has increased in Miraj tahsil due to increasing demand for

foodgrains from ration shops. Simultaneously due to increase in population and low per

capita availability through local production leads to the growth of ration shops. However

due to very few income from the FPS, the existing ration shop owners are not much

interested for renewal of their license. On the other hand, due to low commission on

distribution of foodgrain, the new person does not want to enter in to the government

distribution channel. Apart of that a number of FPS has started in Miraj tahsil both in

rural and urban area. For the opening of new FPS in the district the following document

is necessary:

I. Application of new opening FPS along with receipt of Rs. 5 deposited in

government treasury

II. Proof regarding availability of place (city survey document, 7/12 document and

lease agreement etc.)

III. Proof regarding availability of finance (self financing, bank guarantee etc.)

IV. Proof regarding caste certificate authenticated from the competent authority

V. Proof regarding freedom fighter certificate authenticated from the competent

authority

VI. Proof regarding ex – serviceman certificate authenticated from district civil

surgeon

Shriala 121 26264 217

Total 1399 416313 298

VII. Proof regarding physically handicapped certificate authenticated from district

civil surgeon

VIII. Certificate of education qualifications (attested copy)

IX. Certificate of registration of co – operative society

X. A copy of Memorandum of Association (MOA) of the co – operative society

XI. A copy of audit report of co – operative society

The total number of FPS in Miraj tahsil has constantly increasing. Year after year the

growth of FPS is a good sign for the poor. But on the other hand in the government point

of view it is difficult to manage it. Some times the government fills failure to ma nage the

existing FPS with the existing controlling scares resources. Due to lack of control over

FPS resulted for the black marketing. Following table represents the data about number

of FPS in Miraj tahsil:

Table 2.4

Number of FPS in Miraj tahsil

Year Number

of FPS

Average growth

rate

1999 329 -

2006 325 (-) 1.22

2009 332 2.15

2010 347 4.52

2011 330 (-) 4.90

Source: District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

The above table is showing growth of the FPS in Miraj tahsil. The number of FPS

remained constant i.e. at the range of 325 to 360. The number of FPS in rural area has

been decreasing. The number of FPS in urban area has increasing trend. The private FPS

has been increasing and on the other hand co – operative FPS has been decreasing. The

district growth of FPS was 1.85 as against tahsil growth of FPS of 0.92 percent. As per

the data available with DSO the table is formulated.

During the case enquiry some of the FPS was suspended so the actual growth of FPS can

not drown properly. Hence the conclusion was drafted on the basis of currently running

FPSs. Still the tremendous growth was found in number of FPSs. Most important issue is

poor is getting the food apart of the issue of the number of increase in FPS. If the poor is

getting proper food through established network of FPS then the thing is all over. But the

actual picture of the FPS is different than appear.

Some time the growth was found in the (-) figures, it usually indicates that the FPS

license may be dismissed or suspended by the government. The suspend cases are

depended up on the efficiency of the government control factor. Thus controlling is the

main aspect in the PDS scheme.

In Miraj, Sangli and its adjunct 28 villages are under Food Distribution Officer. The

Miraj urban and other adjunct 39 villages are looking by Tahsildar. Each of the office is

having jurisdiction of the work area. Sangli DSO is having a working area is of total

district area. Collector of the district is the ultimate authority for the entire process flow.

The administrative set up in Miraj tahsil is can be drafted in the following process flow

chart.

2013 347 5.15

2014 360 3.75

Administrative setup in Miraj Tahsil: District Supply Office

Colletor

Additional Collector

Deputy Colletor

Asst. District Supply Officer

Foodgrain Distribution Officer Tashsildar

Food Inspector Aval Clerk

Godown Managers Food Inspector

Clerk Godown Manager

Clerk

Authorities and responsibilities of the DSO, Sangli:

Head of the office : District Supply Officer, Sangli

Under ministry of : Food and Civil Supply, GOI

Work area : Sangli District

Special attention : Distribution of foodgrain under PDS scheme and

implementation of essential commodity act 1955

Objective : Distribution of subsidized foodgrain

Aim : As per the essential commodity act 1955 protect

the consumers from malpractices and smooth

supply of PDS food grain

Concerned authorities : District Supplier Officer, Clerk, Food Inspector,

Godown Manager and Godown Clerk

Responsibilities : Offtake of foodgrain from central pool and

distribute them among cardholder, Maintain all the

records of distribution of foodgrain

Authorities : Issue of new ration card, identification of

beneficiary, standard weights and measures

Facilities : 1) District level: Procurement of foodgrain from

FCI and stores in godown

2) Tahsil level: The supply of foodgrain as per the

order of FPS

3) Village level: Distribution of foodgrain through

FPS

2.5 System of new ration card:

Previously there was three types of cards has been introduced by the government. The

card was offered to the households of four members. The cards were coded in colors i.e.

yellow card, orange card and white card. The ration card issuing authority is Department

of Civil Supplies, Government of Maharashtra.

The process of issuing new cards is processed in Sangli district as well as in Miraj tahsil.

Now through TPDS government is issuing five types of cards to the household of the 2

members. The card is issued on the basis of income norms as on 1999. As per the

practical aspect is concerned a person’s income in 1999 has not one at the same in today.

As a result the faulty ration cards were issued.

Table 2.5

Nature of ration card and their allocation norms

Nature of ration card Allocation norms

Antyodaya Anna Yojana card

Person whose no relatives, no

supportive, and no any other

income source

Annapoorna Yojana card

The person above age 60 and who

is not taking the benefit of Sanjay

Gandhi Niradhar Yojana

Yellow card (BPL) Yearly income below Rs. 15,000

Orange card (APL) Yearly income below Rs. 1,00,000

White card Yearly income above Rs. 1,00,000

Source: District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

Based on socio economic condition of the BPL cardholders they are so weak financially.

Some times the BPL populations are even unable to lift their quota. On the other hand

some of the BPL cardholder having a good financial condition that they can purchase

foodgrain from the open market at higher price.

Through the country has become self sufficient in respect of foodgrains consumption still

the poor section remained poor. Government started Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) for

the poor section of the poor. This scheme was specially formulated for the women

households. The women have no relatives and no any supportive can get the AAY card.

Further in this scheme the physically handicapped and ill healthy women are added. In

short the women having above age of 60 and no any other income source can get the

AAY card.

Annapoorna Yojana (AY) is started for the providing of food to the weaker section of the

society. For the survival of senior citizens in India government was introduced this

scheme. After the age of 60 the family members are ignoring the person. This caused for

the mental ill health and after wards for the death. The condition of the above scheme is

the beneficiaries can not takes the scheme benefits simultaneously of Sanjay Gandhi

Niradhar Yojana and the Annapoorna Yojana. The beneficiary must be single and he has

no any support from other sources.

Yellow (BPL) card has been issued to the person who earns yearly less than Rs. 15000. It

means a person earns approx less than Rs. 40 falls in BPL category. F urther the

government applies the 13 point criteria for identification of BPL. In the various

literatures the government identification of BPL stressed faulty. But as per the practical

aspect is concerned a day Rs. 40 one can not run his family. As per the inflection rate

government should reformulate the criteria for identification of BPL.

Orange (APL) card has been issued to the person who earns yearly less than Rs. 100000.

It means as per the government rule a person earns approx less than Rs. 280 falls in APL

category. Since the price rise in the market it is difficult to run a family with Rs. 280 a

day. This category is treated as middle class.

White card has issued to the person who earns yearly more than Rs. 100000. As per

government rule, this is an upper middle class category. Now days, due to corruption any

category person is taking the benefit of poor and poor remained untouched.

2.6 FCI storage capacity in Miraj tahsil:

At the time of scares situation the stored foodgrain gets very useful. So the storage of

foodgrain is essential and necessary. Godowns are essential for storage purpose. The

godowns are constructed and maintained by the FCI. The FCI is under governed by the

central government of India. Most of the agro product products are perishable in nature

so proper storing method is essential. Agriculture produced food grain has to protect from

the dust and direct sun light. So storage in proper method in the godown is the ultimate

solution for the produced foodgrain.

The following table shows the availability of FCI storage capacity in Miraj tahsil. The

table indicates that storage capacity in the district has widely centralized on the Miraj

tahsil. In the Sangli, Satara, Karad and Kolhapur district places the Miraj is only railway

Junction place. So as per the storage of foodgrain is concerned after the Pune Junction,

the Miraj Junction is popular. In the Sangli district out of the 24 godowns, 7 are situated

at Miraj tahsil. It means more than one third of the storage capacity of Sangli district is

placed at Miraj tahsil.

Table 2.6

FCI storage capacity in Miraj tahsil

Particulars Miraj tahsil Sangli district

Under taken by the

government 7 24

Hired on rent 0 09

Storage capacity (MT) 4500 12160

Source: District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

2.7 Quantities allotted and offtake of foodgrain:

As per the preside table the quantity allotted by the government has to offtake by the

consumers. The quantity allotted and offtake of food chart is prepared by the FPS dealer.

It has no any control over the formulation of chart. The quantities allotted and offtake of

foodgrain form over all Sangli district can be drafted in the following table. This table is

formulated with combination of all together through out the district charts prepared by

the dealers of FPS.

Table 2.7

Quantities allotted and offtake of foodgrain in Sangli district (Metric Tone)

Year Allotted Offtake

Under AAY scheme

2005 – 2006 4061 9500 4061 9500

2006 – 2007 5024 9685 5024 9685

2007 – 2008 6785 9436 6785 9436

2008 – 2009 9490 7142 9295 6529

2009 – 2010 6893 9195 6893 9195

Under BPL scheme

2005 – 2006 7427 15744 7427 15744

2006 – 2007 10000 18992 10000 18992

2007 – 2008 9333 14892 9333 14892

2009 – 2010 12644 16755 12644 16755

Under APL scheme

2005 – 2006 1388 5177 1388 5177

2006 – 2007 2128 5781 2128 5781

2007 – 2008 1843 6650 1843 6150

2008 – 2009 4440 7689 4440 7689

2009 – 2010 6045 36885 5492 23990

Source: District Supply Office (DSO), Sangli

The table indicates that the quantities allotted and offtake of foodgrain is almost 100

percent. The minimum percent of the quantity offtake was only 92 percent in the year

2008 – 2009. If the table shown 100 percent of quantity allotted and offtake then the

question arises is the why the foodgrain is not reached up to the poor. On side of the coin

shows that poor are not getting PDS foodgrain and on the other hand government report

shows the 100 percent offtake. The things are some were mismatching the concept of the

PDS scheme.

2.8 Conclusion:

The chapter begins with the location introduction of Miraj tahsil. The Miraj tahsil lies in

southern part of the Sangli district. As per the population is concern the Sangli district

remained at 15th number in all over the Maharashtra. In the Miraj tahsil the literacy rate is

satisfactory. The literacy rate in Miraj tahsil was computed 89.12 percent in 2011 after

the decade growth of 4.06 percent. On the ground level due to scares poor the population

remains illiterate. The total population of the Miraj tahsil is 8,54,175 as per census of

2011. Out of which 3,25,654 is settled in rural area and 5,28,521 in urban area.

Chapter high lights the necessary document is required for opening of new FPS in the

tahsil. Total number of FPS in Miraj tahsil has constantly increasing trend. More than 2

percent growth was found in number of FPS. In the mid of the chapter administrative set

up in the Miraj tahsil is described. Further the chapter indicates the nature of ration card

and their allocation norms. The scale of issue of PDS commodities is also described in

the chapter.

At the end of the chapter the availability of FCI storage capacity in Miraj tahsil and

quantities allotted and offtake of foodgrain in Sangli district these points were discussed.