Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 226 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a figure
India's Targeted PDS initiative ensures food security for over 80 cr. vulnerable population of India. FCI plays a key role in the same.
Body · points
Role of FCI in PDS :
(i) Procurement → Around ~330 mn. tonnes of grains get procured annually to make Buffer stock for Exigencies.
(ii) Transport & storage until it is handover to state agencies.
(iii) Running Fair Price shops → Ensuring last mile delivery of food supplies to vulnerable.
(iv) Ensuring price floor is created informally, etc.
Challenges of FCI - PDS :
(i) Improper storage & wastage → ₹90,000 cr. p.a. (NITI Aayog)
(ii) Leakages & diversion before reaching Fair Price shops.
(iii) Quality of foodgrains being distributed is pitiable at least.
(iv) Skewed procurement & leads to monoculture. wheat rice (open system)
(v) corruption; Bureaucratic Rigidity (No Ration if no card)
Proposed Reforms
SHANTA Ks. committee
(i) Digitization (End to End) → use Blockchain & digitize from Procurement to final distribution.
(ii) Reduce coverage → to ~ 40 cr. roughly (truly vulnerable population)
(iii) Storage augmentation → Involve Rural PACS, incentivize PPP
(iv) Increasing Decentralized procurement by incentivizing state authorities
(v) Social Audit for accountability.
case studies
Bihar : Reduced leakages via food coupon experiment
Tamil Nadu: GPS based tracking of trucks, messages to residents.
Close · a summary
Thus, TPDS is a key intervention but suffers from numerous issues which needs immediate resolution.