The Fight or Right for Food?

Plugging the leaks: Improving reach and efficiency of PDS

Public Distribution System (PDS)PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM as a social safety net can be understood by the factthat aggregate availability of food grains per se is not enough to ensure ability toacquire food grains. We are a trillion dollar economy, which is also one of the world’sfastest developing economies, yet with abysmally low ranks in the world’s povertyand hunger indices is the unfortunate conundrum of India. If one adds the earning of“INDIA” which is well over $ 300 billion, one has to wonder what is stopping Indiafrom solving this vexing problem of PUBLIC “DISTURB-UTION” System!

The problem is not because of thepopulation but it is due to thecorrupted minds who are responsiblefor the PDS. This country is knownfor its agriculture which is a pride forour country that implies our nationwill never be under food scarcity. Butall of this is an illusion because mostof our population is facing which wedo not call a “life”.

PDS: Problem Statement

The mere presence of food in the economy, or in the market does not entitle a person to

consume it. Even an ability of an economically weak person to buy food is not 100%

guaranteed that he will be able to fulfil his needs so, we need an efficient Public Distribution

System.

India’s challenge today is to solve the conundrum and ensure that the growth is inclusive.

Entries are manipulated in monitored register with respect to those who do not draw their

monthly supplies which are then directed to open market. According to a survey Rs. 100 Cr

which is one of the least value goes into various hands depending upon power. So there is a

need to take initiative by a consumer to fight for its benefits. There were issue of bogus cards

in large number which mismanaged the system. It is partial towards metropolitan cities or

renowned towns and inability to reach remote areas.

“Excellent organisation’s don't believe in excellence only in constant improvement and

constant change, but most of organisations spend more time and energy going around

problems than in trying to solve them.”

We are living in the 21st century in of the

fastest developing countries of the world.

people nowadays cannot work without

technology and hence implementation of

technology should be the most important

proposed solution that is possible.

Furthermore , recruiting the young minds

to give ideas and perform checks on such

corrupted PDS personnel should also be

considered as a hardened solution.

Our solution is not a mere solution rather

it is a revolutionary idea by young minds.

Proposed Solutions

Solution 1:

“You used to withdraw money from the ATM; now

you may withdraw food grains from a similar ATM!”

The idea of mother diary booths has been a

platform for automated milk supply with use of

tokens, this idea of ours has taken it to whole new

level by issuing one specific ration card (ex- Adhar

card) to RSB’s (RATION SUPPLY BOOTHs) so that

exploitation of consumers could be avoided by PDS

officials. The investments for making FSB practically

working in every part of country will be huge but

definitely it would be worth more than problems

faced by the needy people.

Implementation of Solutions

Part 1

REFORM:

Young minds from the age group of 18 – 22

years must be recruited to be a part of the

ideal PDS system and perform regular

checks. Young minds are full of zeal ,

innocence and can be moulded for a good

social cause. Furthermore if we train the

young minds for taking nation wide

responsibility there are less chance of

corruption to be retained in future.

These young minds could be recruited by

centralised exams similar to those of IAS,

IPS etc. and selected ones would enjoy

perks for their hard-work .

Solution 2:

“Moulding a young mind to be responsible

for his/her nation will always be a

beneficial solution no matter what.”

Survey tells us that old manual accounts

are often manipulated and give prey to

corruption. The whole idea of storing and

managing the PDS system should be

replaced by technological inputs by

developing data handling software and

recruiting computer professionals .

Part 2

REPLACE:

This would revolutionarize the whole

practical application of using technology.

Solution 3:

Replace the old manual way of handling

accounts by new technological aspects

nation-wide.

The above discussed solutions would not be accomplished by passing a mere bill rather it

should revolutionarize the very idea of decreasing corruption taking place in our country.

Technology and young minds can easily change the picture of our nation. Young minds are

packets of new ideas so after one revolution there would be more of them coming, so sooner or

later this country would have great influence in the world. There will be a negligible chance of

manipulation , adulteration etc. and needy ones will get their share that they deserve. We

should not feed those, who can feed themselves.

More and more youth would like to be part of the government at such an early stage, what else

a young mind of 19 year would want?

By gaining such an experience and serving country he may become a politician in future and we

may get a lobby of good representatives, so at the end there will be only benefits to our nation.

We have to take serious steps to remove problem of inefficiency of PDS.

Impact of the Solution

“The thing about idea , even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities to solve and face problem”

Challenges for Solution 1:

- Cards could be manipulated by the

richer class.

- Lost cards might take time to get re-

issued.

- Cant be performed on a large scale

initially.

- Would require a lot of investment by

the government.

- Would require educated consumers

to use RSB.

Challenges to Solution 2:

- Higher studies/Education could get affected.

- Can be Bribed with free Education resulting in them getting corrupt themselves.

Challenges to Solution 3:

- Would require a lot of computer-

skilled employees resulting in

unemployment of the rest.

- Would require a lot of investment.

Software can be manipulated/hacked

Challenges and Mitigation Factors

Appendix

https://www.google.co.in/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

http://pdsportal.nic.in/main.aspx

http://dfpd.nic.in/?q=node/103

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Poverty-ridden-opt-for-cash-transfer-over-PDS/Article1-941284.aspx