Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-owned system that delivers food and other essentials to the poor at a subsidized rate. The PDS is operated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Procurement, storage, and transportation of food grains are the Central Government’s responsibilities, while operational aspects are those of the State Governments.
Public Distribution System (PDS) Problems & Solutions
- Core Problems
- Public Distribution System exclusion from PDS rolls:
- Families in Bihar and Jharkhand are left without food entitlements.
- Lack of good ration supply by FPS dealers along with corruption:
- They issue short rations while the quality “Usna” rice is extremely poor.
- Public Distribution System exclusion from PDS rolls:
- Unnecessary Documentation
- Applicants are often asked for caste, income, and residence certificates, which are not required under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or PDS control order.
- Middlemen Exploitation
- The Musahars, as well as other marginalized communities, are being exploited by middlemen who are charging up to ₹3,000 to process ration card applications.
- Delay in Ration Card Issuance
- Applications take months to be processed, denying people access to essential food items.
- The state knows what is wrong but still hasn’t come with systemic changes, it continues to bear the suffering of the worst-off communities.
- Digital Exclusion
- With the push for e-governance and a move toward digitalization of services, many people in rural areas, especially cannot access the system simply because they don’t have the resources or digital literacy to navigate the system.
- Possible Solutions
- System Reform Change
- Streamline the PDS application process and remove unnecessary documentation.
- Transparency and Accountability
- Reinforce oversight mechanisms against corruption in PDS.
- Digital Literacy and Access
- Invest in digital literacy programs that assist the underprivileged to better operate the e-governance platform.
- Ration Cards within the Specified Time
- The time for processing applications for ration cards must not exceed 30 days.
- Local-Level Support Mechanisms
- Ensure support systems are available at local levels for those applying under PDS.
- System Reform Change
