Model Answer

Critically Analyse the Role of Public Distribution System in Ensuring Food

Security and Alleviation of Poverty in India. Also Suggest Measures to Improve
It.

1. Introduction

Contextual Introduction:
India's Public Distribution System (PDS) is one of the largest food security
programs in the world, aimed at providing subsidized food grains to the poor.
Initiated during World War II to manage food scarcity, it has evolved significantly
post-independence to address chronic hunger and poverty.

Direct Introduction:
The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is a government-sponsored chain
of shops responsible for distributing basic food and non-food commodities to the
needy at subsidized prices. It plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and
alleviating poverty across the country.

2. Body

Section 1: Addressing the Question Components

Part 1: Provide Detailed Background Information

The PDS operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public
Distribution. It primarily distributes wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene through a
network of Fair Price Shops (FPS). The scheme targets the Below Poverty Line
(BPL) population, though it also extends to the Above Poverty Line (APL) under
different pricing mechanisms. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 has
further redefined the framework, aiming to cover up to 75% of rural and 50% of
urban populations.
Part 2: Analyze the Issue

Causes and Significance:

- Ensuring Food Security:

The PDS aims to ensure food security by making food grains available at
affordable prices, thus preventing hunger and malnutrition.

- Alleviation of Poverty:
By reducing expenditure on food, the PDS allows poor households to allocate
more of their limited resources to other essential needs such as education and
health.

Effects:

- Positive Outcomes:
- Reduction in Hunger and Malnutrition: The PDS has contributed to a significant
reduction in hunger and malnutrition, particularly among the BPL population.
- Economic Stability: By stabilizing food prices, it helps shield the poor from
market fluctuations.

- Negative Outcomes:
- Leakages and Corruption: A significant portion of food grains is diverted before
reaching the intended beneficiaries.
- Quality Issues: Often, the quality of food grains supplied through PDS is
substandard.
- Exclusion Errors: Many deserving families are left out due to flawed
identification processes.

Part 3: Connecting Different Aspects

- Historical Context:
The Green Revolution in the 1960s led to increased agricultural production,
enabling the government to effectively implement PDS on a larger scale.

- Societal Impact:
The PDS has been pivotal in improving the standard of living for millions, though
issues like corruption and inefficiency persist.
Section 2: Detailed Analysis and Discussion

- Historical Context:
The PDS system has its roots in the wartime rationing system introduced by the
British in India. Post-independence, it was revamped to address the chronic food
shortages of the 1960s, especially during the Bengal Famine.

- Geographical Explanation:
Different states have varying levels of efficiency in PDS implementation. For
instance, states like Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh have shown better performance
compared to others, owing to rigorous monitoring and community participation.

- Societal Issues:
According to a 2019 NITI Aayog report, over 20% of the PDS food grains still fail
to reach the intended beneficiaries. Moreover, the socio-economic survey data
indicates that many marginalized communities are often excluded from the
benefits due to lack of proper identification documents.

3. Conclusion

Summary:
The PDS plays an indispensable role in ensuring food security and alleviating
poverty in India. Despite its significant contributions, the system is marred by
inefficiencies, leakages, and quality issues.

Concluding Remark:
An effective and efficient PDS can substantially contribute to achieving
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to zero hunger and poverty
eradication.

Government Initiatives:
Government schemes like the Integrated Management of PDS (IM-PDS) and the
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) aim to address the existing flaws and
improve system efficiency.

Way Forward:
- Technological Integration: Leveraging technology for real-time monitoring and
biometric verification can reduce leakages.
- Community Participation: Involving local communities in monitoring and
auditing can enhance transparency and accountability.
- Policy Reforms: Streamlining the identification process to ensure no deserving
family is excluded and improving the quality control mechanisms can make PDS
more effective.

By implementing these measures, the PDS can be transformed into a robust

mechanism that not only ensures food security but also plays a pivotal role in
poverty alleviation in India.

Evaluation
Introduction:
- Strengths: You briefly mention the National Food Security Act, 2013, and the
aim of PDS, setting a basic context for the discussion.
- Weaknesses: The introduction is overly brief and lacks a clear statement of
purpose or any historical context. It doesn’t effectively set the stage for a critical
analysis.
- Areas for Improvement: Start with either a broad contextual introduction or a
direct introduction that highlights the importance of PDS in India. Incorporate
relevant historical or current data to bolster the context.

Body:
- Strengths: The role of PDS in food security and poverty alleviation is mentioned
with some examples, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Prime Minister
Antodaya Anna Yojana.
- Weaknesses: The body lacks depth in analysis and multidimensionality. There is
insufficient explanation of how PDS impacts food security and poverty
alleviation. The challenges and solutions section is fragmented and lacks
cohesion.
- Areas for Improvement: Organize the content under clear headings with detailed
explanations. Provide more in-depth analysis and connect different aspects like
historical context and societal impact. Use more data and examples to substantiate
your points.

Conclusion:
- Strengths: The conclusion acknowledges the significance of PDS and its role
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Weaknesses: It lacks a comprehensive summary of key points discussed and
doesn’t provide a forward-looking perspective.
- Areas for Improvement: Summarize the main arguments effectively and suggest
concrete steps for improvement. Broaden the perspective by discussing potential
future challenges and opportunities for PDS.

Overall, your answer needs better organization, deeper analysis, and a more
comprehensive conclusion to score higher.