Public Distribution System (PDS)

What is it ?

It is a scheme by Central Govt.

What it does ?

Central Govt, through Fair Price Shops(FPS) provides subsidized food-grains to beneficiaries every month. For this purpose, beneficiaries are divided into APL, BPL, and Antodaya Anna Yojna groups.

Issues plaguing PDS

1. Targeting errors
2. Leakage and diversion

Recents Events

National Transparency Portal for PDS 

• It is launched by Ministry of Consumer Affairs
• It will be a single platform for all PDS related information
• It will help in bringing transparency and efficiency

Chhattisgarh Example

National Food Security Bill

• Proposes food-grain entitlements up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population.
• At least 46% of the rural and 25% of the urban population will be designated as priority household.
• Priority households will be entitled to 7 kgs of food-grains per person per month. General household will get at least 3 kgs.
• Central Govt. will determine the %age of households at state level and state will identify those households
• Grievance redressal mechanism will be set up at district, state and central level.
• Proposes reform to TPDS

Issues 

• The bill classifies beneficiaries into 3 groups. The process of identifying and placing the beneficiaries into their respective groups may lead to inclusion or exclusion errors.
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Public Procurement Bill, 2012