Public Distribution System in India1
Abstract :
Public Distribution System is one of the important elements of Government's Foods Security System. Through PDS goverment facilitates the supply of food grains to the poor at subsidized rates. PDS involves management of supply of essential commodities at affordable prices to the identified beneficuaries. It also works as instrument for moderating the open market prices of food.
Introduction:
Food security at each level of individual is the first requirement for a healthy and productive life. The concept of PDS in India appeared during 1942 for the 1st time as a result of shortage of food grains during the 2nd world war. Consequently government started intervention in the release of food . rationing in India was started in 1939 in bombay by British government as a measure to ensure equitable distribution of food grains to the urban consumers in the face of rising prices. Due to rising inflationary pressure in the economy government had to reintroduced rationing in 1950.India retained public distribution system of food grains as a focused social policy in 1951. in the First Five Year Plan, the scope of PDS was broadened to cover all such areas which suffered from stable food shortages. However food production dropped in the year 1958 when the 2nd plan had just commenced. This factor forced the government to restart procuremetn of food grains and cereals and control on trading of food grains. India's Food Security System with a network of 4.78 lakhs fair price shops is the largest retail system of its type in the world. Since 1951 PDS is deliberate social policy with the objectives of : (i) Providing food grains and other essential items to vulnerable sections of the society at reasonable (subsidized) prices (ii) To put an indirect check on the open market prices of various items and (iii) To attempt socialization in the matter of distribution of essential commodities.