Mains Marathon Daily Current Affairs Questions and Answer Writing – November 10

Public distribution system (PDS) today encompasses almost all the states of the country that once began with the purpose of availing food articles to the people living below poverty line.

In a country like India, the institution of PDS comes with a multitude of advantages. Firstly, the ambit of food security gets enhanced. Secondly, the poor and the needy that constitute nearly 30% of the country’s population gets the requisite food items at sustainable prices. Thirdly, this grass root level model has ensured ready availability of the essentials like rice and wheat etc.

Though the system has evolved over the years, it is mired with the following challenges”
1. The exclusion errors are aplenty. This eludes the actual beneficiaries for availing the benefits.
2. The system suffers form administrative inefficiencies and corruption where the grains are hoarded and sold in the market.
3. Inefficient distribution of ration cards is another challenge; and
4. The whole set up is quite uneven where states like M.P. excelling in the realm while others seem to be laggard.

In this context, following measures may be taken to ensure the efficient working of the PDS:
1. The concerned ministry, in collaboration with the NGOs should carry out information campaigns.
2. Gram Sabha in the villages may be given the power of social audit.
3. The JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile) trinity, as suggested by the economic survey (16-17) may be extended here to avoid exclusion errors.
3. The case of kerosene distribution in Haryana PDS is noteworthy in this area and is worth emulating.
4. Regular inspections by the officials will ensure that the system works effectively.

PDS comes as a boon to the country like India. It should be capitalized to ensure maximum benefits are accrued to the targeted section of the society.