A Study on the Efficacy of the Public Distribution System in India

Public Distribution System in India has been one of the most crucial elements in food policy and food security system in the country and with special emphasis to the functioning of public sector agricultural warehousing agencies such as Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), engaged in the procurement, transportation, storage and distribution of food grains, It is the largest distribution network of its kind in the world. It emerged out as rationing measure in the backdrop of Bengal food crisis as well as a war-time measure during Second World War. It evolved in 1950s and 1960s as mechanism for providing price support to producers and food subsidy for consumers. Over the years it has expanded enormously as poverty alleviation and food security measure to become a permanent feature of Indian Economy. The present paper discusses the present scenario of Public distribution system in India across states. It throws light on the working of PDS and some policy measures for its better working