Question

What is the Public Distribution System? Describe its role in making available the essential items to the poorer section of the society.

Answer 1

(i) The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called the Public Distribution System (PDS).
(ii) Ration shops are now present in most localities, villages, towns and cities. There are about 46 lakh ration shops all over the country. These ration shops, also called Fair Price Shops, keep stock of foodgrains, sugar, kerosene oil for cooking.
(iii) These items are sold to people at a price lower than the market price Any family with a ration card can buy a stipulated amount of these items, e.g. 35 kgs of grains, 5 litres of kerosene, 5 kgs of sugar, etc., every month from the nearby ration shop.