• UGI USER
  • Jun 11, 2024
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FOOD MINISTER’S AGENDA: ADDRESSING FOOD INFLATION, CONTROLLING PDS COSTS

Why in the news?

  • Pralhad Joshi, as the new food and consumer affairs minister, aims to curb food inflation and manage PDS costs.
  • Measures include increasing pulse production, offloading rice stocks, liberalizing onion exports, and adjusting edible oil import duties.
source:medium

About Public Distribution System (PDS):

  • Establishment: Indian food security system under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
  • Purpose: Manage scarcity and distribute food grains at affordable prices.
  • Joint Responsibility: Operated by Central and State Governments.
  • Central Government: Procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains (via FCI). Procures food grains at minimum support price (MSP).
  • State Governments:Allocation within the state.Identification of eligible families. Issuance of Ration Cards.
  • Commodities Distributed: Wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene.
About Food Corporation of India (FCI):

●     Statutory Body: Formed by the Food Corporation Act, 1964.

●     Objectives: Price support operations for farmers. Distribution of food grains for PDS.

●     Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

●     Procures Wheat, Paddy, and Coarse grains under Price Support Scheme.

●     Holds procured food grains for planned PDS delivery and unforeseen situations.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/public-distribution-system/