What is PDS?
What is PDS?
The Public distribution system (PDS) is an Indian food Security System established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. PDS evolved as a system of management of food scarcity through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.
What is the need for a Public Distribution System (PDS)?
Public Distribution System (PDS) is required to maintain Food Security in the nation. Food security will prevent the occurrence of events like famine. The Bengal famine had killed 30 lakh people in 1943.
The different facets of Food Security are:
- Affordability of food – It means a person has required money to buy nutritious and safe food to meet the dietary needs.
- Accessibility of food – It means the food is accessible to the people.
- Availability of food – it takes into account the food stocks stored in the granaries run by the Government, imports of food and most importantly adequate food production in the country. It takes into account that food is available for all the people.
National Food Security Act, 2013
- As per National Food Security Act of 2013, 50% of the urban population and 75% of the rural population have been classified as eligible households for food security.
When is Food Security Affected?
Food security of the nation is affected in times of natural calamities like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts etc. When there is drought, the food production will reduce, thereby increasing the prices of food, which will be unaffordable for poor people, thereby creating starvation.
What is a Public Distribution System?
Public Distribution System is a system where poorer sections of the society can procure food from the Government regulated ration shops, which in turn receives the food supply from Food Corporation of India (FCI).
- Ration shops are also known as Fair Price shops.
- In these ration shops people can buy the food items at a price lower than the market price.
- These ration shops will have stock of kerosene, sugar, and food grains.
- Currently all over India, there are 5.5 Lakh ration shops.
- Ration shops are found in most of the cities, towns, villages and localities.
- Stipulated amounts of these items can be purchased by any family with ration cards.
Public Distribution System – Important Points
- The Public Distribution System (PDS) was functioning till 1992. The Public Distribution System coverage was universal. It evolved as a universal scheme in 1970’s.
- In 1992, PDS was relaunched as Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS). Its coverage area was 1700 backward blocks.
- With the principle of targeting the poor in all areas, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was launched in 1997. It targeted the people Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL).
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in 2002, targeting the poorest of the poor.
- Annapurna Scheme (APS) was launched in 2000, targeting the indigent senior citizens.
- NFSA was launched in 2013 targeting priority households.
- Annapurna Scheme (APS) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) were functioning by linking with the existing network of Public Distribution System (PDS).
- TPDS is jointly operated by the State Government and Central Government.
- In Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Identifying beneficiaries, issuing of ration cards, allocation, and distribution of food grains is the responsibility of the State Government.
- In the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the allocation, procurement, and Transportation of food grains to Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the responsibility of the Central Government.
The Public distribution system (PDS) is an Indian food Security System established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. PDS evolved as a system of management of food scarcity through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.
What is the need for a Public Distribution System (PDS)?
Public Distribution System (PDS) is required to maintain Food Security in the nation. Food security will prevent the occurrence of events like famine. The Bengal famine had killed 30 lakh people in 1943.
The different facets of Food Security are:
- Affordability of food – It means a person has required money to buy nutritious and safe food to meet the dietary needs.
- Accessibility of food – It means the food is accessible to the people.
- Availability of food – it takes into account the food stocks stored in the granaries run by the Government, imports of food and most importantly adequate food production in the country. It takes into account that food is available for all the people.
National Food Security Act, 2013
- As per National Food Security Act of 2013, 50% of the urban population and 75% of the rural population have been classified as eligible households for food security.
When is Food Security Affected?
Food security of the nation is affected in times of natural calamities like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts etc. When there is drought, the food production will reduce, thereby increasing the prices of food, which will be unaffordable for poor people, thereby creating starvation.
What is a Public Distribution System?
Public Distribution System is a system where poorer sections of the society can procure food from the Government regulated ration shops, which in turn receives the food supply from Food Corporation of India (FCI).
- Ration shops are also known as Fair Price shops.
- In these ration shops people can buy the food items at a price lower than the market price.
- These ration shops will have stock of kerosene, sugar, and food grains.
- Currently all over India, there are 5.5 Lakh ration shops.
- Ration shops are found in most of the cities, towns, villages and localities.
- Stipulated amounts of these items can be purchased by any family with ration cards.
Public Distribution System – Important Points
- The Public Distribution System (PDS) was functioning till 1992. The Public Distribution System coverage was universal. It evolved as a universal scheme in 1970’s.
- In 1992, PDS was relaunched as Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS). Its coverage area was 1700 backward blocks.
- With the principle of targeting the poor in all areas, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was launched in 1997. It targeted the people Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL).
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in 2002, targeting the poorest of the poor.
- Annapurna Scheme (APS) was launched in 2000, targeting the indigent senior citizens.
- NFSA was launched in 2013 targeting priority households.
- Annapurna Scheme (APS) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) were functioning by linking with the existing network of Public Distribution System (PDS).
- TPDS is jointly operated by the State Government and Central Government.
- In Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Identifying beneficiaries, issuing of ration cards, allocation, and distribution of food grains is the responsibility of the State Government.
- In the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the allocation, procurement, and Transportation of food grains to Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the responsibility of the Central Government.
