Question

explain four features of Public Distribution System

Answer 1

Public Distribution System (PDS) is an Indian food security system established by the Government of India under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and managed jointly with state governments in India. It distributes subsidised food and non-food items to India's poor through a network of Public distribution shops (PDS) established in several states across the country. The following are the features of PDS.
1. Maintaining price stability:- Public distribution system keep the price stable throughout the year by managing flow of food items in the market.
2. Social welfare:-It ensure that poor section of the society also have the access to the food. There are many programmes run by the government such as the Annapoorna yojna. Public distribution system provide food for the implementation of such programmes.
3. Rationing during the scarciy:- Public distribution system also keep the buffer of foodgrain in the warehouses so that flow of food remain active even during the period of less agricultural food production.
4. Keeping a check on private trade:- Public distribution system also keep an eye on the hoarders and black marketes who try for windfall gain at the cost of poor people and other consumers.