Securing Food Through the Public Distribution System: Evidence from Odisha

Abstract

Public distribution system (PDS) is a vehicle for ensuring food security for all. It was introduced in India as a positive intervention by the state to make essential commodities available to the poor and marginalized sections of the society at a cheaper rate on a regular basis. Over the decades, various policies and schemes have been revised and regulated to improve the quality of goods and services provided. This paper evaluates the current system of PDS in the Sundargarh district of Odisha on the basis several key factors such as access, efficiency, utilization, and impact. This study also explores the process of procurement, storage, and distribution of commodities in Odisha. The study shows that PDS in Odisha is functioning reasonably well and has significantly improved over the years, but the amount of grain and quality of the commodities provided are far from satisfactory. There are still large exclusion and illegal inclusion errors in the system and bribing for ration card is a common practice. Suggestions and necessary policy recommendations have been made to make the current system more efficient.