Public Distribution System (PDS)

PDS refers to a system through which the food procured by the FCI is distributed among the poor through government regulated ration shops. Ration shops are also called as fair price shops.The consumers are issued ration cards.

Rationing was introduced in India around 1940 after the Bengal famine.

Kinds of Ration Cards. There are three kinds of ration cards :

(a) Antyodaya cards for the poorest of the poor,

(b) BPL cards for those below poverty line and,

(c) APL cards for those above poverty line.

Three Important Food Intervention Programmes.In the wake of high incidence of poverty levels in mid-1970s, three important food intervention programmes were introduced:

(a) Public Distribution System (in existence earlier)

(b) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1975

(c) Food for work in 1977-78.

In 2000, two special schemes were launched viz. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna scheme (APS) with special target groups of the poorest of the poor and indigent senior citizens, respectively.

PDS has proved to be the most effective for stabilising prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices.

But it has faced severe criticism on several grounds.

Granaries are full but hunger prevails. Some of the grains gets rotten or eaten by rats.

Excessive Food Stocks: In July 2002, the stock of wheat and rice with FCI was 63 million tonnes which was much more than the minimum buffer norms of 24.3 million tonnes. The stock reduced thereafter but always remained higher than the buffer norms.

Paradox of Excess Stocks and Starvation: In fact, India has experienced a paradoxical situation in recent years. While the granaries (godowns) of the government are over flowing with excess stocks of food, we also find people without food. The main reason for this unfortunate situation is that many poor families do not have enough money or income to buy food. Sometimes PDS dealers are resorting to malpractice.

In southern and western parts of the country, the cooperatives are playing an important role in food security.

Mother’s dairy, Amul are some of the success stories.

In Maharashtra Academy of Development Science has facilitated a network of NGOs and set up grain banks.

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