The Struggle with PDS: The Right to Food in Crisis

Why in the News?

  • Reports highlight: In 2023, alarming reports from Jharkhand and Odisha revealed that many households were removed from the Public Distribution System (PDS).
  • State-wide issue: Bihar also faces PDS struggles, particularly among marginalized communities like the Musahars, exacerbated by the COVID-19 supply crisis.

THE STRUGGLE WITH THE PDS: THE RIGHT TO FOOD IN CRISIS

Challenges with PDS Access and Quality

  • Exclusion of households: Many Musahar families lack active ration cards or have incomplete details.
  • Biometric issues: Mandatory verification leads to names being removed from PDS rolls.
  • Food quality shortages: FPS dealers provide low-quality rice and insufficient quantities for BPL

Systemic Flaws and Exploitation

  • Unnecessary documentation: States require caste and income certificates despite no legal basis.
  • Middlemen exploitation: Musahar community faces exorbitant fees for ration card processing.
  • Delays in issuance: Ration cards delayed for months, worsening food insecurity.

What is a Public Distribution System?

  • Purpose: Established to address food scarcity by distributing foodgrains at affordable prices.
  • Key tool: Manages India’s food economy, supplementing rather than fully meeting beneficiaries’ needs.
  • Governance: Governed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, covering two-thirds of India’s population.
  • Management: Managed by Central (FCI) and State/UT governments, handling procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution through Fair Price Shops.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times