Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to provide food grains, sugar, and kerosene to ration cardholders at affordable prices. Historically, it has been a crucial tool for poverty alleviation and ensuring food security in India. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, represents a significant overhaul of the PDS, aiming to streamline operations and ensure greater transparency and accountability. This act legally guarantees food grains to a substantial portion of India’s population, marking a shift from an administrative system to a rights-based approach.
Salient Features of PDS under the National Food Security Act, 2013
The NFSA, 2013 significantly redefined the PDS. Key features include:
Coverage and Entitlements
- Priority Households (PHH): These constitute approximately 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population. They are entitled to 5 kg of food grains per family per month. PHH identification is done by state governments.
- General Households (GH): These constitute the remaining population. They are entitled to 3.5 kg of food grains per family per month.
- Children (aged 3-6 years): Entitled to nutritious food as prescribed by the state government.
- Pregnant and Lactating Women: Entitled to take nutritional food during pregnancy and lactation period, as prescribed by the state government.
Food Grain Allocation and Prices
- The Act mandates the central government to allocate food grains to states/UTs at specified prices.
- Rice: ₹3 per kg
- Wheat: ₹2 per kg
- Coarse Grains: ₹1 per kg
Responsibility and Transparency
- State Governments' Responsibility: Primarily responsible for the implementation and operation of PDS, including identifying beneficiaries, procuring and distributing food grains.
- Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Act mandates a grievance redressal mechanism at the state level to address complaints related to PDS.
- Social Audit: Provision for social audits to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): NFSA operates under the TPDS framework, aiming to deliver food grains to intended beneficiaries.
Key Provisions and Modifications
- Ration Card: The Act mandates the issue of ration cards to eligible households.
- Food Security Appellate Authority: Establishment of a Food Security Appellate Authority at the state and district levels to hear appeals related to PDS.
- Cash Compensation: Provision for cash compensation if food grains are not made available.
| Category | Rural Entitlement (kg/family/month) | Urban Entitlement (kg/family/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Households (PHH) | 5 kg | 5 kg |
| General Households (GH) | 3.5 kg | 3.5 kg |
Challenges and Recent Developments
Despite the NFSA’s intent, challenges remain. These include leakages, diversion of food grains, exclusion of eligible beneficiaries, and infrastructure bottlenecks. The government is actively promoting digitization of PDS, including the use of Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AEPS) to improve efficiency and reduce pilferage.
Conclusion
The National Food Security Act, 2013, represents a landmark effort to legally guarantee food security to a significant portion of the Indian population. While the Act has brought about crucial changes and enhanced entitlements, persistent challenges related to implementation and efficiency necessitate continuous monitoring, reforms, and leveraging technology to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries effectively. Further strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms and promoting community participation are vital for the success of the PDS.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.