scholarly journals Time for Universal Public Distribution System: Food Mountains and Pandemic Hunger in India

2021 ◽  
pp. 097370302110490
Author(s):  
Swati Narayan
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Acute Distress ◽  
Universal Expansion ◽  
Acute Increase ◽  
Food Grain

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5) indicates that child stunting in India was severe and has been deteriorating since 2015. This trend could have worsened since the pandemic and the stringent lockdowns meant to contain it. There has been an acute increase in impoverishment as governmental food policies have further exacerbated rather than mitigated inequalities. Families eligible under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, have been provided with double food grain rations during two waves of the pandemic. However, nearly 45% of India’s population without these ration cards have been largely excluded from additional food relief from the central government. Simultaneously, India’s food grain stocks in government granaries have accumulated to their all-time peak with 2 years of bumper harvests. Therefore, in light of the acute distress faced by marginalised communities due to the pandemic, this article analyses the availability of adequate food grain stocks and contends that the time is opportune for the universal expansion of the public distribution system.

scholarly journals Universal Public Distribution System: Food Mountains and Pandemic Hunger in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Narayan
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Acute Distress ◽  
Universal Expansion ◽  
Acute Increase ◽  
Food Grain

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5), indicates that even before the pandemic, child stunting in India was severe and has been deteriorating since 2015. But after the stringent lockdown, there has been an acute increase in impoverishment as governmental food policies have further exacerbated rather than mitigated inequalities. Families eligible under the National Food Security Act (NFSA, 2013) have been provided with double food grain rations during two waves of the pandemic. But nearly 45 percent of India’s population without these ration cards have been excluded from any additional food relief from the central government. Simultaneously, India’s food grain stocks in government granaries have accumulated manifold with two years of bumper harvests. Therefore, in light of the acute distress faced by marginalised communities due to the pandemic and unprecedented economic recession, this paper analyses the availability of adequate foodgrain stocks and contends that the time is ripe for the universal expansion of the public distribution system.

Structural mapping of public distribution system using multi-agent systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1066-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhir Ambekar ◽  
Rohit Kapoor ◽  
Peeyush Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Multi Agent Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Food Grain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for mapping the Indian Public Distribution System (PDS) using multi-agent system (MAS). The entire PDS supply chain from purchase to the distribution is mapped in detail by integrating stages of PDS supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – Literature related to PDS, food grain supply chain (FGSC) and MAS is reviewed and critically assessed. Based on this a framework is proposed which will help in improving functioning of PDS. Findings – The PDS has many shortcomings arising from its complex structure and practices which are used to implement it. The authors propose an MAS to model it in which each entity will be modelled as an agent. The authors propose two stages of supply chain. First stage models the processes from procurement to storage of food grain and second stage model the distribution process. Practical implications – This paper will be of interest to the policy makers and decision makers involved in the PDS by providing the shortfalls in the system and also suggesting a method to model the PDS based on practices of food supply chains. Originality/value – This paper provides the decision makers in the PDS, a framework to model and assess the entire supply chain. This will help them in effective implementation of the PDS and also improve in the areas of concerns which are pointed the study.

scholarly journals Starving Millions and Right to Food

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-47
Author(s):  
Sai Teja Vangala ◽  
Anshuman Singh
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Buffer Stock ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Right To Food ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Right

Right to food is a basic human right. In India, with increase in population the demand for food is on the rise. Providing adequate food to the teeming millions has been a challenge for the government. This paper explores the origin of right to food while placing the emphasis on the realisation of the right in its true sense. It argues that the state has failed to secure adequate food to its citizenry because of its misplaced priorities and lack of political will. It calls for strengthening of public distribution system and buffer stock to guarantee adequate food security to people.

scholarly journals Malnutrition and poverty in India: does the use of public distribution system matter?

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basant Kumar Panda ◽  
Sanjay K. Mohanty ◽  
Itishree Nayak ◽  
Vishal Dev Shastri ◽  
S. V. Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Food Grains ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
Food Grain ◽  
Demographic Covariates

Abstract Background Large scale public investment in Public Distribution System (PDS) have aimed to reduce poverty and malnutrition in India. The PDS is the largest ever welfare programme which provides subsidised food grain to the poor households. This study attempt to examine the extent of stunting and underweight among the children from poor and non-poor households by use of public distribution system (PDS) in India. Methods Data from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), was used for the analysis. A composite variable based on asset deprivation and possession of welfare card provided under PDS (BPL card), was computed for all households and categorised into four mutually exclusive groups, namely real poor, excluded poor, privileged non-poor and non-poor. Real poor are those economically poor and have a welfare card, excluded poor are those economically poor and do not have welfare card, privileged poor are those economically non-poor but have welfare card, and non-poor are those who are not economically poor and do not have welfare card. Estimates of stunting and underweight were provided by these four categories. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Results About half of the children from each real poor and excluded poor, two-fifths among privileged non-poor and less than one-third among non-poor households were stunted in India. Controlling for socio-economic and demographic covariates, the adjusted odds ratio of being stunted among real poor was 1.42 [95% CI: 1.38, 1.46], 1.43 [95% CI: 1.39, 1.47], among excluded poor and 1.15 [95% CI: 1.12, 1.18], among privileged non-poor. The pattern was similar for underweight and held true in most of the states of India. Conclusions Undernutrition among children from poor households those excluded from PDS is highest, and it warrants inclusion in PDS. Improving the quality of food grains and widening food basket in PDS is recommended for reduction in level of malnutrition in India.

scholarly journals THE SAGA OF FOOD SECURITY IN WEST BENGAL

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
Ranjan Basu
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Welfare Programs ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
The People ◽  
Bank Transfer ◽  
Support Price ◽  
Food Grain

Undivided Bengal in India was struck by series of famines during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. In post partition era though there is no record of famine, starvation and malnutrition are not unknown in West Bengal among the people lying below the poverty line. Lacunae in the public distribution system might be one major hurdle. Implementation of several welfare programs and National Food Security Act, 2013 seems to be conducive to control the menace of starvation. But the concept of food security has been deduced to food grain security only without any provision of protein, minerals and vitamins, the essential ingredients of nutrition. Nutrition of mothers, children and senior citizens along with male bias of nutrition—all are in question now. Throughout India while farmers are living in debt from hand to mouth, agriculture is no more a lucrative occupation. Several measures have been introduced to combat such a disastrous situation viz. efficient storage and marketing system, loan waiver, bank transfer of grant-in-aid, minimum support price and efficient public distribution system, apart from targeted nutrition schemes. But no one can be considered as effective action so far to break the ice.

Transformation of public distribution system in Chhattisgarh: Dr Raman Singh’s leadership

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubham Shubham ◽  
Shashank Mittal ◽  
Atri Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Management Students ◽  
Leadership And Change

Subject area Organizational behavior, Organizational leadership, Organizational transformation. Study level/applicability First year management students in the course Organizational Behavior (OB). Final year management students in the elective course on leadership and change management. Middle level managers who are working in industry, in the management development program related to change leadership and change management. Case overview This case deals with the transformation of the public distribution system (PDS) under the leadership of Dr Raman Singh. The PDS system was an inefficient system and the food grain supply intended for the poor was diverted by intermediaries before reaching the intended beneficiaries. Having experiences in central government ministries as a cabinet minister, Dr Raman Singh decided to transform the PDS. The challenges faced were primarily from that of the reticent bureaucracy and dealing with them requires patience and the skills of a transformational and motivational leader which Dr Raman Singh possessed. Expected learning outcomes This case intends to develop understanding of various dimensions related to transformational and motivational styles of leadership. Further, it intends to develop understanding of crucial institutional and organizational changes and how leaders bring about these changes in sync with technological and process changes. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS: 6: Human Resource Management.

Blockchain in Indian Public Distribution System: a conceptual framework to prevent leakage of the supplies and its enablers and disablers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Himani Mishra ◽  
Prateek Maheshwari
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fair Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Food Grains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the application of blockchain in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India to manage the supply of food grains to the targeted beneficiaries. The framework will help prevent diversions and leakages of grains at the warehouse and Fair Price Shop (FPS) level. The paper also identifies the enablers and disablers in the context of the framework. Design/methodology/approach This paper will firstly review the previous literature in PDS and blockchain-enabled agricultural and food supply chains. The study then proposes a framework that could be implemented in the PDS in India using blockchain technology. Findings The proposed framework provides an effective way to combat corruption, exclusion errors of targeted beneficiaries, leakage of PDS food grains and is cost-effective. The identified enablers and disablers give an insight into the application of blockchain in PDS in India. Research limitations/implications The research work may have implications for the Ministry of Food and PDS (Central Government), Food Corporation of India and State Governments to manage the supply of the grains more efficiently and effectively. Originality/value The current study caters to the implementation of blockchain technology starting from the warehouse level to the FPSs and consumers and simultaneously connecting them to concerned authorities to ensure transparency and accountability.

The BJP’s Welfare Schemes: Did They Make a Difference in the 2019 Elections?

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeshwari Deshpande ◽  
Louise Tillin ◽  
K.K. Kailash
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
State Governments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Distribution System ◽  
Rural Employment ◽  
Local Politicians ◽  
Employment Guarantee ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Employment Guarantee Scheme

In this article, we use data from the 2019 NES post-poll survey to assess the impact of BJP’s welfare schemes on voting behaviour. We demonstrate that compared to earlier elections, voters are more likely to give credit to the central government as opposed to state governments or local politicians for welfare schemes. This centralization is especially the case for some of the BJP’s new welfare programmes such as Ujjwala and the Jan Dhan Yojana. However, even earlier Congress-era schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Awas Yojana are now more associated with the central government. Schemes such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Old Age Pensions are still more likely to be associated with state governments. At the all-India level, we find some evidence that voters who received benefits under Ujjwala, Jan Dhan Yojana or Awas Yojana schemes were more likely to vote for the BJP, whereas recipients of pensions or MGNREGA were less likely to support the BJP.

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