Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System

Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System :

  • 1. The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State/Union Territories.
  • 2. Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments.
  • 3. Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries.
  • 4. Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 4
1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.
Statement 1 is correct. The Public Distribution System (PDS) operates under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/Union Territory Governments. The Centre is responsible for procurement, allocation, and transportation of foodgrains up to the designated depots, while the States/UTs are responsible for distribution, identifying eligible families, issuing ration cards, and supervising the Fair Price Shops (FPS).
Statement 2 is correct. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the primary agency responsible for the procurement, storage, and movement of food grains to the depots from where they are transported to the States/UTs for distribution under the PDS.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The identification of eligible households and issuance of ration cards is primarily the responsibility of the respective State/UT Governments.
Statement 4 is correct. While the Central Government focuses on essential food grains like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene, many States/UTs distribute additional items of mass consumption such as pulses, edible oils, salt, etc., through the PDS outlets using their own resources.
The PDS is a crucial component of India’s food security system, aimed at providing subsidized food and non-food items to the poor. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, gives legal entitlement to receive subsidized foodgrains under PDS.
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