Q13. What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make the food grain distribution system more effective?

Model Answer:

Introduction

India’s food grain distribution system, mainly through the Public Distribution System (PDS), is crucial for ensuring food security to millions. However, inefficiencies like leakage, corruption, and uneven access have plagued the system for years. In response, the government has launched multiple reform initiatives aimed at modernising the system, ensuring transparency, and reaching the intended beneficiaries more effectively.

Body

1. Digitalization and Automation of PDS

  • End-to-End Computerization: Real-time monitoring of food grains, from procurement to distribution, has been introduced to track movement and minimise leakages.
  • Automated Fair Price Shops (FPS): ePoS devices have been installed in fair price shops across several states to record transactions and eliminate duplicate or ineligible beneficiaries.

2. Aadhar-Based Authentication

  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Aadhar-linked authentication has been implemented to eliminate ghost beneficiaries and duplication, ensuring that food grains reach the rightful recipients.
  • One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): This scheme allows beneficiaries, especially migrant workers, to access their food grain entitlements from any fair price shop across India, promoting portability and ease of access.

3. Improved Storage and Logistics

  • Modernization of Warehouses: Building modern storage facilities like silos and expanding existing capacities have helped reduce food grain wastage due to poor storage conditions.
  • GPS Tracking and Supply Chain Optimization: GPS-enabled tracking systems have been introduced to monitor food grain transportation, minimising diversion or delay in supply chains.

4. Nutritional Security and Fortification

  • Food Fortification Scheme: Under this initiative, fortified rice and wheat, enhanced with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamins, are being distributed, addressing malnutrition along with food security.

5. National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

  • The NFSA was introduced to provide subsidised food grains to approximately two-thirds of the population. It ensures legal entitlements to food security, with provisions for targeted beneficiaries, including women and children.

6. Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)

  • IM-PDS aims to enhance the transparency of PDS by integrating all state PDS systems into a central repository. This helps track beneficiary data and food grain transactions nationwide.

7. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

  • Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, PMGKAY provided additional free food grains to vulnerable populations. The scheme was a crucial lifeline for millions during the crisis and continues to aid food security for the poor.

8. Decentralized Procurement Scheme (DCP)

  • The DCP scheme allows states to procure, store, and distribute food grains locally. This reduces dependency on central stocks, ensures timely supply, and allows states to address local demand more effectively.

Conclusion

The Indian government’s reformative steps in the food grain distribution system, from digitalization and Aadhar authentication to schemes like ONORC and NFSA, are making the system more efficient, transparent, and equitable. These efforts help ensure food security for millions, especially vulnerable sections of society, while also addressing malnutrition and logistical challenges. The continuous refinement and expansion of these reforms are essential for the long-term sustainability of India’s food security framework.     

‍

Instant Mains Evaluation with SuperKalam

✅ Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly

Read more blogs