Abstract
Public Distribution System (PDS) is one of the major components of social security in India as well as Karnataka. Indian food security system, established by the Government of India under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is to distribute subsidized food and non-food items to India’s poor. This scheme was first launched in February 1944, during the Second World War and was launched in the current form in June 1947. Major commodities distributed include staple food grains, such as wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene, through a network of fair price shops (also known as ration shops) established in several states across the country. Food Corporation of India, a government-owned corporation procures and maintains the PDS.
A public distribution shop, also flown as fair price shop (FPS), is a part of India’s public system established by Government of India which distributes rations at a subsidized price to the poor. Locally these are known as 'ration shops' and chiefly sell wheat, rice and sugar at a price lower than the market price called Issue Price. Other essential commodities may also be sold. To buy items one must have a "Ration Card". These shops are operated throughout the country by joint assistance of central and state government. The items from these shops are much cheaper but are of average quality. Ration shops are now present in most localities, villages towns and cities. India has 4,78,000 shops constituting the largest distribution network in the world.
The central and state governments shared the responsibility of regulating the PDS. While the central government is responsible for procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains, State governments hold the responsibility for distributing the same to the consumers through the established network of Fair Price Shops (FPSs). State governments are also responsible for operational responsibilities including allocation and identification of families below poverty line, issue of ration cards, supervision and monitoring the functioning of FPSs (Fair Price Shops) [clarification needed]. Under PDS scheme, each family below the poverty line is eligible for 35 kg of rice or wheat every month, while a household above the poverty line is entitled to 15 kg of food grain on a monthly basis.
References
III. REFERENCES
"Public Distribution System". Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (India).
Planning Commission 11th FYP document: Nutrition and Social Safety Net, on PDS & Defects and shortcomings
“Press Information Bureau”.pib.nic.in
Planning Commission 9th FYP on FPS and malpractices.
Public Distribution System: Evidence from Secondary Data and the Field talkative-shambhu.blogspot.in
“Government in a fix over illegal ration cards”. deccanherald.com. 30 Dec. ‘12.
“Public Distribution System in India”. Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
“National Common Minimum Programme of the Government of India”.
Targeted (http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/03/stories/2004
“Food Stamps: A Model for India” (PDF). Centre for Civil Society.
“Allow alternatives to PDS, say experts”. The Indian Express.
“Delhi HC says Fair price shop can’t be allotted to BPL card holders”. IANS. news.biharprabha.com.
Operation Black by AAJ TAK News Channel”. AAJ TAK.