Organization and Functioning of Public Distribution System in Assam — An Analysis

This paper has analysed various aspects of development and functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS) in Assam in terms of rice and wheat from 2011–12 to 2014–15. It has also identified the existing loopholes in the system as a whole. It has revealed that a well-organized functioning of Public Distribution System is of vital importance for supply and distribution of staple food grains like rice and wheat at reasonable prices to the deprived section of the society. In Assam the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is responsible for distribution of these commodities among the backward and poorer strata of the society at a subsidized rate. Regarding functioning, the study has observed that despite surplus production of rice in Assam since 2011, its contribution to central system is comparatively very less, pointing towards weak procurement system in Assam. The study has also identified leakage of food grains, weak and corrupt administration, insufficient storage facilities, irregular and poor quality of food grains at Fair Price Shops (FPS), etc. as the major impediments in achieving ultimate goal of this holistic programme. There is a strong need of technological reforms to make the whole system transparent, accountable and efficient without which the vision of food as well as nutritional security may not be achieved.