A Theoretical Study on Performance of Public Distribution System in India

Abstract

Public distribution system (PDS) is an Indian food security system. Established by the Government of India under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and are managed jointly by state governments in India Over the years, PDS has become an important part of Government’s policy for management of food economy in the country. PDS is supplemental in nature and is not intended to make available the entire requirement of any of the commodities distributed under to a household or a section of the society. The PDS has been criticised for its urban bias and its failure to serve the poorer sections of the population effectively. The targeted PDS is costly and gives rise to much corruption in the process of extricating the poor from those who are less needy. Though government has taken several measures to improve PDS like decentralised procurements, introduction of UIDAI etc. but still these measures are not completely adopted. More measures like universalization of PDS are need of the hour. PDS can provide food security only when it covers wide range of food grains. With introduction of Food Security Ordinance, we can expect PDS will also get it much due push and will be able to fulfil the long cherished goal of Food security.