Objectives: To present a review of existing literature on the role of public distribution system in achieving food security in India.
Methods/Statistical Analysis: This is mainly a review paper, in which we critically evaluate the previous studies on public distribution system. The paper begins with a discussion on the conceptual evolution of food security. An attempt has been made to assess role of PDS in strengthening the first two components of food security, they are food availability and food access in India.
Findings: It is found that there has been a shift in the focus of studies from issues related to production at the national level to factors influencing food security at the household level. Though the public distribution system has been major food security programme in India, it was often criticized for its urban bias and pro-rich nature. Thus with an aim to reach poor, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was implemented in 1997. TPDS also came under attack for its targeting error, leakages of food grains, poor geographical coverage, and not benefiting poor much. Further, recently implemented national food security act is also targeting in nature and therefore would not be free from problems embodied in the distribution system.
Application/Improvements: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is only partially implemented. Many promising provisions in the act such as entitlement for special groups and protection from starvation have to be implemented immediately to eliminate starvation.