Kerala Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department

Kerala Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is the department of the Kerala Government responsible for executing the state's Public Distribution System (PDS), enforcing market discipline, regulating the commodity distribution and promoting consumer awareness and consumer protection. In order to strengthen and coordinate the state's consumer protection policies and initiatives, the government combined the Section of Consumer Affairs under the Food & Civil Supplies Department and the Legal Metrology Department under the Revenue Department to create a distinct department of Consumer Affairs. One of the nation's benevolent social legislations, the Consumer Protection Act of 1986, aims to shield consumers from exploitation. The Act's provisions cover both goods and services to give each District and the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission at the State Level in Kerala inexpensive, quick, and easy redress. In addition to carrying out the policies and initiatives of the Central Government, the Consumer Affairs Department of the Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is in charge of developing and overseeing consumer protection programs in the State and strengthening the consumer movement.

Food Security and Public Distribution System

The Public Distribution System in India is the joint responsibility of the Union Government and the State Governments. Kerala Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department of Kerala Government is responsible for implementing the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the State. The Union Government, through the Food Corporation of India, procures, stores, transports, and allocates food grains to the State Governments. The State Governments identify eligible families, issue ration cards, operate a chain of Fair Price Shops owned by private vendors, allocate food grains, manage, supervise, and operationalise the PDS system within their territory. The Government of Kerala distribute cards based on “mark based” system. Families without a stable income are identified as Antyodaya families and issued AAY cards (Yellow cards). There are 5.92 lakh AAY cards in the State as of March, 2025. Families identified as priority households, but not covered under the AAY scheme, are issued PHH cards (Pink cards). There are 36.31 lakh PHH cards in the State as of March, 2025. The Families identified as non-priority households, are issued NPS cards (Blue cards) and NPNS cards (White cards). There are 22.3 NPS cards and 30.08 NPNS cards in the State as of March, 2025. In addition to the four cards, the Department also issues Non-Priority Institution (NPI) cards (brown) for institutions such as destitute homes, and welfare institutions. 28,864 NPI cards have been distributed.

Allied Institutions

• Computerization and Computer Networking of Consumer Forums in Country (CONFONET)

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• Forward Markets Commission (FMC)

• Kerala Civil Supplies

• Kerala State Consumers Affairs Department

• Kerala Supply CO

• Ministry of Consumers Affairs, Government of India

• National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF)

• The Judgment Information System (JUDIS)