Right to Food: Battling PDS Inefficiencies
Context:
Recent reports have highlighted alarming PDS failures in Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, where a significant number of households have been removed from PDS rolls.
More on News:
- The right to food was established as a fundamental right in the landmark People’s Union of Civil Liberties vs. Union of India case 24 years ago.
- However, bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of accountability have turned this right into a distant dream for millions.
Background:
- The Right to Food, enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, ensures every individual’s entitlement to food security as an integral part of the right to life and upheld by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013.
- The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a critical component of this framework, designed to provide subsidised food grains to millions of low-income households in India.
- However, the PDS is beleaguered with myriad inefficiencies, which compromise the right to food for the most vulnerable population.
PDS Exclusion and Marginalised Communities:
- Lack of Ration Cards: Many Musahar households in Patna district do not possess active ration cards, leaving them excluded from the benefits of the PDS.
- Incomplete Cards: Even when they have ration cards, they often lack the names of all family members, further limiting their access to food grains.
- Biometric Verification Issues: The mandatory biometric verification process at fair price shops (FPS) has led to numerous households losing access to rations, as names are arbitrarily struck off the rolls.
Government Efforts
National Food Security Act (NFSA): Enacted in 2013, the NFSA legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised food grains through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- The NFSA covers approximately 81 crore beneficiaries across India, ensuring that a significant portion of the population has access to essential food items.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Launched to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PMGKAY provides free food grains to around 81.35 crore beneficiaries. This scheme has been extended, ensuring continued support to economically disadvantaged populations.
PM POSHAN (Poshan Shakti Nirman) Scheme: Aims to enhance the nutritional status of children in Government and Government-aided schools by providing nutritious meals. This initiative also encourages regular school attendance among disadvantaged students.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Aimed at the poorest segments of society, the AAY provides highly subsidised food grains to the most vulnerable households. This initiative ensures food security for those who are often excluded from other welfare programs.
Challenges Facing the PDS:
- Leakages and Corruption: According to a 2022-2023 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), about 28% of the grains supplied by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state governments do not reach the intended beneficiaries.
- Shortage of Rations: Families entitled to five kilograms of food grains per person under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Priority Household (PHH) categories often receive only four kilograms.
- Substandard Quality: The grains provided, primarily low-quality rice, fail to meet nutritional standards. Wheat is often unavailable.
- Administrative and Bureaucratic Hurdles: States demand caste, income, and residence certificates for PDS enrollment, despite no such legal requirement under the National Food Security Act, 2013, or the PDS Control Order, 2015.
- While the 2015 order mandates the issuance of ration cards within 30 days, applications often remain pending for 4 to 18 months, leaving families without access to basic sustenance.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor storage and inadequate infrastructure significantly contribute to food grain spoilage. Substandard storage facilities and the absence of proper monitoring mechanisms exacerbate waste.
- Geographical Inaccessibility: In many rural and remote areas, accessing an FPS is a considerable challenge. Physical distance and inadequate transportation facilities often deter people from benefiting from PDS.
Steps Taken to Address Inefficiencies:
- Digital Initiatives: Efforts are being made to digitise PDS operations through initiatives like end-to-end computerisation and the implementation of e-PDS portals. These measures aim to enhance transparency and accountability.
- Aadhaar Integration: Linking beneficiaries’ Aadhaar details to the PDS is intended to streamline the identification process and reduce duplication. However, the approach has faced criticism for excluding those without Aadhaar cards.
Way Forward:
- Simplify Enrollment Processes: Eliminate unnecessary documentation requirements and ensure timely issuance of ration cards.
- Strengthen Accountability: Monitor FPS operations and take strict action against corruption.
- Empower Marginalised Communities: Provide resources and education to help vulnerable populations navigate the PDS system.
- Invest in Inclusive Technology: Ensure digitisation benefits all, including those without digital literacy or access.
- Adopt Transparent Practices: Publicise ration entitlements and delivery schedules to reduce exploitation.
