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What is the Public Distribution System?
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The food procured by the FCI is distributed through g
overnment-regulated ration shops
among the poorer section of society. This is called the
Public Distribution System (PDS).
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Ration shops also, known as
Fair Price Shops
, keep
stock of food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking.
These items are
sold to people at a price lower than the market
price.
- Any family with a ration card* can buy a stipulated amount of these items (e.g. 35 kg of grains, 5 litres of kerosene, 5 kg of sugar, etc.) every month from the nearby ration shop.
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Note: There are three kinds of ration cards:
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The introduction of Rationing in India
dates back to the 1940s
against the backdrop of the Bengal famine.
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In the wake of the high incidence of poverty levels, as reported by the NSSO in the mid-1970s, three important food intervention programs were introduced:
Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains (in existence earlier but strengthened thereafter);
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (introduced in 1975 on an experimental basis) and
Food-for -Work (FFW) was introduced in 1977–78.
- Employment programs greatly contribute to food security by increasing the income of the poor.
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Note: “The National Food Security Act, 2013” This act provides for food and nutritional security lies at affordable prices and enables people to live a life with dignity. Under this act, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population have been categorized as eligible households for food security. |
