The correct answer is: a) Availability of essential food grains at subsidized prices.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a food security system in India that provides subsidized food grains to India’s poor. The PDS was established in 1952 to ensure food security for all Indians, and it has been a major factor in reducing hunger and malnutrition in the country.
The PDS operates through a network of ration shops, which are government-run stores that sell food grains at subsidized prices to eligible beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are identified by the government based on their income and other criteria.
The PDS is a major source of food for millions of Indians, and it plays a vital role in ensuring food security in the country. The PDS has been criticized for its inefficiency and corruption, but it remains an important tool for reducing hunger and malnutrition in India.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) Quality control of food is not a role of the PDS. The PDS is responsible for ensuring the availability of food grains, not their quality.
- Option c) Nutrition education programs are not a role of the PDS. The PDS is responsible for providing food grains, not nutrition education.
- Option d) Food storage infrastructure is not a role of the PDS. The PDS is responsible for distributing food grains, not storing them.