Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a cornerstone of India’s food security policy, evolving over decades to address food scarcity and ensure access to essential commodities for vulnerable sections of society. Initially universal, the PDS underwent a significant shift towards targeting with the introduction of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in 1997. TPDS aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the PDS by focusing on the ‘below poverty line’ (BPL) population. However, despite its noble intentions, the implementation of TPDS has been fraught with challenges, hindering its ability to achieve its objectives fully.
Features of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
The TPDS represents a significant departure from the earlier universal PDS. Its key features include:
- Identification of Beneficiaries: TPDS relies on identifying eligible households based on poverty criteria determined by the states. Initially, the BPL list was prepared by state governments. Later, the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data was used for identifying beneficiaries.
- Decentralized Procurement and Allocation: While the central government procures grains through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the allocation and distribution to states are based on their assessed needs and poverty levels.
- Subsidized Prices: Eligible households receive essential commodities like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene at highly subsidized rates. The central government bears the difference between the economic cost and the subsidized price, known as food subsidy.
- Revamped PDS (RPS): Introduced in 2015, the Revamped PDS aimed to further improve the system through measures like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for kerosene, end-to-end computerization, and diversification of the commodity basket.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013: The NFSA legally entitled 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to subsidized food grains, effectively formalizing and expanding the scope of TPDS.
Obstacles in Implementation of TPDS
Despite the framework, several obstacles impede the effective implementation of TPDS:
1. Identification and Inclusion/Exclusion Errors
The process of identifying beneficiaries is prone to errors. Inclusion errors occur when ineligible households are included in the BPL list, while exclusion errors happen when deserving households are left out. The SECC 2011 data, while comprehensive, had its limitations and inaccuracies, leading to these errors. A study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in 2011 highlighted significant exclusion errors in several states.
2. Diversion of Food Grains
A major challenge is the diversion of food grains from the PDS to the open market. This happens at various stages – during transportation, storage, and distribution. Weak monitoring mechanisms and corruption contribute to this diversion. According to reports, up to 40% of food grains were diverted in some states before the implementation of NFSA and digitalization.
3. Weak Infrastructure and Logistics
Inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation networks, and a lack of efficient distribution infrastructure hamper the smooth functioning of TPDS. Many Fair Price Shops (FPS) lack proper storage space, leading to spoilage of grains. The lack of rural connectivity also poses a challenge in reaching remote areas.
4. Inefficiencies in Procurement and Distribution
The procurement process, managed by the FCI, faces challenges related to timely procurement, quality control, and storage capacity. Delays in distribution and long queues at FPS also discourage beneficiaries from utilizing the system.
5. Lack of Transparency and Accountability
Limited transparency in the operations of TPDS and a lack of accountability among officials contribute to corruption and inefficiencies. The absence of social audits and grievance redressal mechanisms further exacerbates the problem.
6. Limited Awareness among Beneficiaries
Many eligible beneficiaries are unaware of their rights and entitlements under TPDS. This lack of awareness prevents them from accessing the benefits of the scheme.
| Obstacle | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Identification Errors | Inaccurate BPL lists leading to inclusion/exclusion errors. | Denial of benefits to deserving households; leakage of resources. |
| Diversion | Food grains siphoned off to the open market. | Reduced availability of subsidized food; increased food prices. |
| Infrastructure | Poor storage, transportation, and distribution facilities. | Spoilage of grains; delays in delivery; accessibility issues. |
Conclusion
The TPDS, despite its inherent strengths in providing food security, faces significant implementation challenges. Addressing these obstacles requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening beneficiary identification through robust data verification, improving infrastructure, enhancing transparency and accountability through digitalization and social audits, and raising awareness among beneficiaries. The successful implementation of the NFSA and the continued refinement of the TPDS are crucial for ensuring food security for all Indians, particularly the most vulnerable sections of society. Further reforms focusing on direct benefit transfer and end-to-end digitization are essential for a more efficient and equitable 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.