UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on Public Distribution System and rural wages (Week 79)Sign In to read

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.

India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has faced significant challenges in terms of inefficiency, leakage, and inadequate reach to the poor. Discuss the need for reform in the PDS, particularly focusing on the issues of system leakages, implementation inefficiencies, and the role of agricultural investment.

Rural wage stagnation has emerged as a significant issue in India’s economic landscape, with implications for poverty alleviation and rural development. Analyse the factors contributing to stagnant rural wages and their socio-economic impact.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has faced significant challenges in terms of inefficiency, leakage, and inadequate reach to the poor. Discuss the need for reform in the PDS, particularly focusing on the issues of system leakages, implementation inefficiencies, and the role of agricultural investment.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Public Distribution System (PDS) emerged as a means of managing scarcity by distributing food grains at reasonable costs. It has evolved into an important component of the government’s food-economy management strategy over time. PDS is supplemental in nature, and it is not designed to meet a household’s or a group’s whole requirement for any of the commodities supplied under it.

— PDS is run jointly by the central and state/UT governments. The Central Government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), has taken over the acquisition, storage, transportation, and bulk allotment of food grains to state governments. The State Governments bear operational responsibility for allocation within the state, identifying eligible households, issuing Ration Cards, and supervising the operation of Fair Price Shops (FPSs), among other things.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Challenges to the Public Distribution System

— World Bank (2022) data shows that 12.9 per cent of Indians live on less than $2.15 (PPP) a day, an extreme level of poverty. The NITI Aayog report (2024) says that 248 million people came out of poverty in the last 9 years, with the multidimensional poverty index (MDPI) declining from 29.17 per cent to 11.28 per cent between 2013-14 to 2022-23.

— PDS is inefficient, and its operations are prohibitively expensive.

— The procurement/transportation ratio is too high, indicating ‘wasteful’ movements.

— Storage losses are extremely substantial.

— The lack of trustworthy and dynamic data on consumption and mobility patterns has always been a major barrier for planners in ensuring the effective delivery of important central welfare initiatives to the most disadvantaged members of our society.

— Other concerns include a lack of storage capacity with FCI, corruption and leaks, and quality issues.

Need for reform in the PDS

— The Indian government was aware of significant leakages in the PDS, as noted in a 2015 report by the High-Powered Committee on Grain Management led by Shanta Kumar. According to the 2011-12 HCES, leakages were assessed to be around 46% at the time.

— In 2016, the Government of India used Point-of-Sale (PoS) devices at Fair Price Shops (FPS) to plug leaks by combining biometric authentication and real-time transaction tracking. Today, over 90% of FPS nationwide are equipped with PoS machines. This has helped reduce leakages from 46% to 28%, but they are still very high.

— To alleviate malnutrition, at least part of the FPS should be converted into “nutrition hubs.” They can provide a diverse range of produce, such as eggs, pulses, millets, and fruits, in addition to grains. Beneficiaries might use a digital food coupon system to redeem their coupons at nutrition hubs for a broader range of healthier foods.

— The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) launched the SMART-PDS project to implement data-driven decision-making that will go a long way in addressing this deficit.

— Convergence and integration, combined with the usage of AI, can be a game changer for both individuals and governments in terms of responsibility across all programs.

— The Centre intends to expand PDS reforms by leveraging data analytics/BI platforms, as well as other ICT tools and technologies. The PDS operation will be standardised through the use of technology and integrated with the FCI, CWC, rail and road transport supply chains, Ministry of Education, Women and Child Development, and UIDAI. Technology-led changes are expected to address the state-level technological limits of PDS operations in terms of IT gear, software, and technical people.

Conclusion:

— Currently, over 93% of the total monthly allocated foodgrains are delivered via Aadhaar authentication utilising electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices. This dividend is directly related to the complete digitisation of ration cards, online administration of beneficiary data, computerisation of foodgrain allocation and supply chain management systems in all states/UTs, and the installation of ePoS devices across the country.

(Source: Public Distribution System must be reformed to fix leakage, invest in farming by Ashok Gulati and Raya Das, nfsa.gov.in, SMART PDS scheme: A bold initiative in digitisation by Sudhanshu Pandey)

Points to Ponder

Suggest some measures to improve PDS system

What is the role of FCI in PDS?