*Phd Reserch Scholar, Avinashilingam Institute for home Science and Higher Education for women University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
**Professor, Dept of Economics, Avinashilingam Institute for home Science and Higher Education for Women University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
Online published on 28 January, 2015.
Public Distribution System (PDS) is the cornerstone of governments’ price and food security system in India. It ensures availability of certain essential commodities at affordable prices, especially for the poor. Through its agency the food corporation of India, the government procures and stocks food grains, which are released every month for distribution through the PDS net work across the country. It is well known that Kerala had one of the best run and most effective PDS networks in India. Prior to the introduction of targeting, Kerala was the only state in India with near-universal coverage of the PDS. Kerala was rated among the best performers in raising rural household consumption and reducing rural poverty, partly because of its effective system of public distribution. Significantly, the poor used the PDS more than the rich. A survey found about 85 per cent of consumers met all or part of their rice requirements from fair price shops. The present study tries to attempt the functioning and importance of PDS in kerala. In Kerala, Palakkad district is the most agricultural district. In Palakkad, there are 5 Taluks; in this Chittur Taluk is selected for the study. 200 household is selected for the sample survey.
Commodities, distribution, targeting, universal
