Doorstep Delivery of Rations: A New Frontier in Public Distribution System (PDS) Reform
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Justice & Governance (Public Distribution System - PDS, National Food Security Act 2013, Government Schemes).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
GS Paper 3: Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.
Key Highlights from the News
Key Initiative: The Tamil Nadu government launched the 'Thayumanavar Thittam' scheme to deliver ration items to the doorsteps of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Similar Schemes in Other States: Projects like 'Oppom' in Kerala and 'Anna Suvidha' in Karnataka exist in other states.
Features of PDS in Tamil Nadu:
Instead of Targeted PDS, Tamil Nadu has a Universal PDS which provides rations to everyone.
95% of ration shops are run not by private individuals, but by cooperative societies.
Central Government's Stance: The Centre informed the Lok Sabha that there is no provision in the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for doorstep delivery of rations.
Article's Counter-Argument: However, Section 32(1) of the NFSA empowers states to formulate their own food welfare schemes, which provides legal validity to such initiatives.
Challenges: As seen in Andhra Pradesh, such schemes are subject to regime change. The success of the scheme depends on the cooperation of officials.
COMMENTS