Prime Minister of India in Kannada for UPSC | ಭಾರತದ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಮಂತ್ರಿ

 

Evolution of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India

The Public Distribution System (PDS) has evolved over decades to address food security and poverty alleviation. Its development can be categorized into three major timelines:

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1. Pre-Targeted PDS Era (1947–1997): Universal PDS

• 1940s (Pre-Independence):

  • PDS originated during World War II as a rationing system to address food shortages.
  • Post-Independence, it continued to provide food grains universally at subsidized prices to tackle scarcity and stabilize food prices.

• 1960s (Green Revolution Era):

  • PDS became institutionalized with the establishment of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Agricultural Prices Commission (APC, now CACP).
  • Focus shifted to procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains to ensure availability and stabilize markets.

• Challenges:

  • Uneven coverage, urban bias, and significant leakages were major concerns during this period.

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2. Targeted PDS Era (1997–2013): Introduction of Targeted PDS (TPDS)

• 1997:

  • The Universal PDS was replaced with the Targeted PDS (TPDS) to focus on vulnerable groups.
  • Beneficiaries were categorized into Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) households, with different entitlements and prices.

• 2000s:

  • States were empowered to identify beneficiaries, but exclusion errors and inefficiencies persisted.
  • Leakages in the system led to large-scale diversions of food grains to the open market.

• Mid-Day Meal and ICDS Expansion:

  • PDS supported other welfare schemes like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

• Challenges:

  • Issues of corruption, regional disparities, and inefficiency in targeting genuine beneficiaries continued.

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3. Post-NFSA Era (2013–Present): Technology-Driven PDS

• 2013 (National Food Security Act - NFSA):

  • The NFSA guaranteed legal entitlements for food grains at subsidized rates to 67% of India’s population (75% rural, 50% urban).
  • Priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries were included.

• Digitization and Reforms:

  • Aadhaar-linked Ration Cards: Reduced duplication and improved targeting.
  • One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC): Enabled portability of benefits across states for migrant workers.
  • End-to-end computerization helped monitor food grain supply chains.

• COVID-19 Pandemic:

  • PDS played a vital role through initiatives like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), providing free food grains to millions during the crisis.

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Conclusion

From a universal system addressing scarcity in its early stages to a targeted, technology-driven mechanism today, the PDS has evolved to meet the changing needs of India's population. While significant progress has been made, reforms to address leakages, exclusion errors, and fiscal sustainability remain critical for the system’s future.

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