Public distribution system : Objectives, functioning and Issue of Food Security.

<–2/”>a >WHO Defines Food Security to exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Food security has three interlinked contents such as :-

Availability of food,
Access to food and
absorption of food.

Food security is a multidimensional concept covering even the micro level household food security,energy intakes and indicators of Malnutrition.

Major components of food security are:-

Production and Procurement
Storage
Distribution

Indian agriculture is rightly called as a gamble with Monsoon, variability in food production and rising Population creates food insecurity in the nation and worst effected are the downtrodden section of the Society.

While India has seen impressive economic Growth in recent years, the country still struggles with widespread POVERTY and hunger. India’s poor population amounts to more than 300 million people, with almost 30 percent of India’s rural population living in poverty. The good news is, poverty has been on the decline in recent years. According to official government of India estimates, poverty declined from 37.2% in 2004-05 to 29.8% in 2009-10.

Need for Self-Sufficiency:

India suffered two very severe droughts in 1965 and 1966. Food Aid to India was restricted to a monthly basis by USA under the P.L. 480 programme. The Green Revolution made a significant change in the scene. India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains by the year 1976 through the implementation of the seed- water-fertilizer policy adopted by the Government of India.

Food grain production increased four-fold during 1950-51 and 2001-2002 from 51 million tons to 212 million tones. The country is no longer exposed to real famines. But the regional variation in the success of Green Revolution which was chiefly limited to northern- Western states has lead to the divide in the nation. Evergreen revoloution and Bringing green revolution to eastern India is the need of the hour.

Green revolution was focused on wheat and rice and thus the production of pulses was stagnant.

National Food Security Mission comprising rice, wheat and pulses to increase the production of rice by 10 million tons, wheat by 8 million tons and pulses by 2 million tons by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). The Mission is being continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of food grains of 25 million tons of food grains comprising of 10 million tons rice, 8 million tons of wheat, 4 million tons of pulses and 3 million tons of coarse Cereals by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) during the 12th Five Year Plan will have five components

(i) NFSM- Rice;

(ii) NFSM-Wheat;

(iii) NFSM-Pulses,

(iv) NFSM-Coarse cereals and

(v) NFSM-Commercial Crops.

Government through Public Distribution System has tried to counter the problem of food insecurity by providing the food grains through fair price shops.

The central Government through Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibilities of procurement,storage,transfer and bulk allocation of food grains to state governments.

pds The public distribution system (PDS) has played an important role in attaining higher levels of the household food security and completely eliminating the threats of famines from the face of the country, it will be in the fitness of things that its evolution, working and efficacy are examined in some details.

PDS was initiated as a deliberate social policy of the government with the objectives of:

i) Providing foodgrains and other essential items to vulnerable sections of the society at resonable (subsidised) prices;

ii) to have a moderating influence on the open market prices of cereals, the distribution of which constitutes a fairly big share of the total marketable surplus; and

iii) to attempt socialisation in the matter of distribution of essential commodities.

The focus of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is on “poor in all areas” and TPDS involves issue of 35 Kg of food grains per family per month for the population Below Poverty Line (BPL) at specially subsidized prices. The TPDS requires the states to Formulate and implement :-

foolproof arrangements for identification of poor,
Effective delivery of food grains to Fair Price Shops (FPSs)
Its distribution in a transparent and accountable manner at the FPS level.

India is the third largest producer of cereals, with only China and the USA ahead of it. India occupies the first position in milk production and is the third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries in the world. According to ministry of Agriculture ,India is likely to produce a record 273.38 million tonnes of food grains 2016/17, slightly higher than the previous estimate of 271.98 million tonnes.

Economic growth is typically accompanied by improvements in a country’s food supply, both quantitative and qualitative, and a gradual reduction in nutritional deficiencies. It also brings about changes in the production, processing, distribution and Marketing of food. Diets evolve over time and are influenced by factors such as income, prices, individual preferences and beliefs, cultural traditions, as well as geographical, environmental, social and economic factors.

India faces a greater food challenge – having only 2.3 per cent share in world’s total land area it has to ensure food security to about 17.5 per cent of the world’s population. Total foodgrain production is estimated at an all-time high of 272 million tonnes in 2016-17, 8% higher than the 251.6 million tonnes last year, and surpassing the previous record of 265 million tonnes in 2013-14.

Wheat production is estimated to rise by 4.7% to 96.6 million tonnes in 2016-17 (compared to 92.3 million tonnes in 2015-16),

Production of pulses is likely to rise 35% from 16.4 million tonnes last year to 22.1 million tonnes in 2016-17.

Production of rice, the most popular staple, is estimated to increase by over 2 million tonnes, from 104.4 million tonnes last year to 106.7 million tonnes in 2016-17.

As per 2^nd Advance Estimates, the estimated production of major crops during 2016-17 is as under:

Foodgrains – 271.98 million tonnes (record)

Rice – 108.86 million tonnes (record)
Wheat – 96.64 million tonnes (record)
Coarse Cereals – 44.34 million tonnes (record)
Maize – 26.15 million tonnes (record)
Pulses – 22.14 million tonnes (record)
Gram – 9.12 million tonnes
Tur – 4.23 million tonnes (record)
Urad – 2.89 million tonnes (record)

Oilseeds – 33.60 million tonnes (record)

Soyabean – 14.13 million tonnes
Groundnut – 8.47 million tonnes
Castorseed – 1.74 million tonnes

Cotton – 32.51 million bales (of 170 kg each)

Sugarcane – 309.98 million tonnes

Benefiting from the green revolution technologies introduced in 1965-66, the per capita net availability of foodgrains per annum in India increased from 144.1 kg per capita per year in 1951 to a peak of 186.2 kg per capita per year in 1991. Post-1990s though, there is a clear decline in the per capita foodgrain availability which has declined to 160.1 kg per capita per year in 2010.

Since agricultural growth is limited, imports can help improve the country’s supply situation for a short term. But for the long term, the country will need to focus on productivity enhancement, through public Investment in Irrigation, research and efficient use of water, plant Nutrition and other inputs.,

Public distribution system (PDS) is a system of food distribution in India. It was introduced in 1952 to ensure food security for the people of India. The objectives of PDS are to:

Provide foodgrains at subsidized prices to the poor and vulnerable sections of the society.
Ensure price stability in the market.
Promote agricultural production.
Reduce poverty and hunger.

The functioning of PDS is as follows:

The government procures foodgrains from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP).
The foodgrains are then stored in government warehouses.
The foodgrains are then distributed through ration shops to the people.
The ration shops are allotted to fair price shops (FPS).
The FPS are owned and operated by private individuals.
The FPS are given a margin of profit on the sale of foodgrains.
The people are issued ration cards by the government.
The ration cards are used to purchase foodgrains from the FPS.

The issue of food security is a complex one. There are many factors that contribute to food insecurity, such as poverty, Unemployment, and natural disasters. The government has taken a number of steps to address the issue of food insecurity, such as the introduction of PDS. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure food security for all the people of India.

The following are some of the sub topics related to public distribution system:

Objectives of PDS
Functioning of PDS
Issue of food security
History of PDS
Criticism of PDS
Reforms in PDS
Future of PDS

Objectives of PDS

The objectives of PDS are to:

Provide foodgrains at subsidized prices to the poor and vulnerable sections of the society.
Ensure price stability in the market.
Promote agricultural production.
Reduce poverty and hunger.

Functioning of PDS

The functioning of PDS is as follows:

The government procures foodgrains from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP).
The foodgrains are then stored in government warehouses.
The foodgrains are then distributed through ration shops to the people.
The ration shops are allotted to fair price shops (FPS).
The FPS are owned and operated by private individuals.
The FPS are given a margin of profit on the sale of foodgrains.
The people are issued ration cards by the government.
The ration cards are used to purchase foodgrains from the FPS.

Issue of food security

The issue of food security is a complex one. There are many factors that contribute to food insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and natural disasters. The government has taken a number of steps to address the issue of food insecurity, such as the introduction of PDS. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure food security for all the people of India.

History of PDS

The PDS was introduced in 1952 to ensure food security for the people of India. The PDS was initially introduced in the form of a rationing system, where the government would distribute foodgrains to the people at subsidized prices. The PDS was later expanded to include other essential commodities, such as sugar, kerosene, and cooking oil.

Criticism of PDS

The PDS has been criticized for a number of reasons, such as:

Corruption: There have been allegations of corruption in the PDS, such as ration card holders selling their ration cards to others.
Inefficiency: The PDS has been criticized for being inefficient, with long queues and shortages of foodgrains.
Lack of transparency: The PDS has been criticized for lack of transparency, with the government not releasing information on the functioning of the PDS.

Reforms in PDS

The government has taken a number of steps to reform the PDS, such as:

Introducing a new ration card system: The government has introduced a new ration card system, which is based on Aadhaar. The new ration card system is expected to reduce corruption and improve efficiency.
Expanding the coverage of PDS: The government has expanded the coverage of PDS to include more people.
Increasing the number of ration shops: The government has increased the number of ration shops to improve access to foodgrains.

Future of PDS

The future of PDS is uncertain. The government has announced that it plans to gradually phase out the PDS and replace it with a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme. However, it is not clear when the DBT scheme will be implemented.

Public distribution system (PDS) is a system of food distribution in India. It was started in 1950 to ensure food security for the people of India. The PDS is managed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

The objectives of the PDS are to:

Ensure food security for the people of India.
Provide food at affordable prices to the poor and vulnerable sections of the society.
Stabilize the prices of essential commodities.
Promote agricultural production.

The PDS functions through a Network of ration shops. These shops are located in all parts of the country and are managed by the government. The ration shops are supplied with food grains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The FCI is a government-owned corporation that is responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains.

The PDS is a major source of food for the poor and vulnerable sections of the society. It provides them with food at affordable prices. The PDS also helps to stabilize the prices of essential commodities.

However, the PDS has been facing a number of challenges in recent years. These challenges include:

Corruption
Inefficient management
Lack of transparency
Poor quality of food grains

The government has taken a number of steps to address these challenges. These steps include:

Introducing reforms in the PDS
Increasing the number of ration shops
Improving the quality of food grains
Making the PDS more transparent

The PDS is a vital part of the Indian economy. It plays a key role in ensuring food security for the people of India. The government is committed to making the PDS more efficient and effective.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the PDS:

What is the Public Distribution System (PDS)?
The PDS is a system of food distribution in India. It was started in 1950 to ensure food security for the people of India. The PDS is managed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
What are the objectives of the PDS?
The objectives of the PDS are to:
Ensure food security for the people of India.
Provide food at affordable prices to the poor and vulnerable sections of the society.
Stabilize the prices of essential commodities.
Promote agricultural production.
How does the PDS function?
The PDS functions through a network of ration shops. These shops are located in all parts of the country and are managed by the government. The ration shops are supplied with food grains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The FCI is a government-owned corporation that is responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains.
Who are the beneficiaries of the PDS?
The beneficiaries of the PDS are the poor and vulnerable sections of the society. These include people who are below the poverty line, people who are living in rural areas, and people who are employed in the informal sector.
What are the challenges faced by the PDS?
The PDS has been facing a number of challenges in recent years. These challenges include:
Corruption
Inefficient management
Lack of transparency
Poor quality of food grains
What steps has the government taken to address the challenges faced by the PDS?
The government has taken a number of steps to address the challenges faced by the PDS. These steps include:
Introducing reforms in the PDS
Increasing the number of ration shops
Improving the quality of food grains
Making the PDS more transparent
What is the future of the PDS?
The PDS is a vital part of the Indian economy. It plays a key role in ensuring food security for the people of India. The government is committed to making the PDS more efficient and effective.

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government program that provides subsidized food grains to the poor. Which of the following is NOT an objective of the PDS?
(A) To ensure food security for all citizens
(B) To stabilize prices of essential commodities
(C) To provide EMPLOYMENT to the poor
(D) To promote agricultural production
The PDS is implemented through a network of ration shops. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for opening a ration shop?
(A) The shop must be located in a poor area
(B) The shop must have a Storage Facility
(C) The shop must have a weighing machine
(D) The shop must have a computer
The PDS is funded by the government. Which of the following is NOT a source of funding for the PDS?
(A) Taxes
(B) Borrowings
(C) Donations
(D) Foreign aid
The PDS has been criticized for being inefficient and corrupt. Which of the following is NOT a criticism of the PDS?
(A) The PDS is not reaching the intended beneficiaries
(B) There is a lot of leakage in the system
(C) The PDS is not providing quality food grains
(D) The PDS is not sustainable
The PDS has been reformed several times in recent years. Which of the following is NOT a reform of the PDS?
(A) The introduction of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
(B) The introduction of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
(C) The introduction of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)
(D) The introduction of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication
The PDS has been successful in providing food security to the poor. Which of the following is NOT an evidence of the success of the PDS?
(A) The decline in the incidence of poverty
(B) The decline in the rate of malnutrition
(C) The increase in the life expectancy of the poor
(D) The increase in the Literacy rate of the poor
The PDS has been criticized for being a disincentive to work. Which of the following is NOT an argument in support of this criticism?
(A) The PDS provides a guaranteed income to the poor
(B) The PDS makes it less attractive for the poor to work
(C) The PDS reduces the incentive for the poor to save
(D) The PDS reduces the incentive for the poor to invest in their Human Capital
The PDS has been criticized for being a source of political patronage. Which of the following is NOT an argument in support of this criticism?
(A) The PDS is used by the government to distribute benefits to its supporters
(B) The PDS is used by the government to win Elections
(C) The PDS is used by the government to control the poor
(D) The PDS is used by the government to suppress dissent
The PDS has been criticized for being a drain on the exchequer. Which of the following is NOT an argument in support of this criticism?
(A) The PDS is expensive to run
(B) The PDS is not efficient
(C) The PDS is not effective
(D) The PDS is not sustainable
The PDS has been criticized for being a symbol of government paternalism. Which of the following is NOT an argument in support of this criticism?
(A) The PDS treats the poor as helpless and dependent
(B) The PDS undermines the initiative and self-reliance of the poor
(C) The PDS creates a culture of entitlement among the poor
(D) The PDS perpetuates the cycle of poverty