The Public Distribution System in India has structural shortcomings that result in many poor families not receiving safe and nutritious food. There is growing evidence of inferior quality grains being distributed, diversion of supplies to the black market, and bogus ration cards being used to sell grains illegally. Reforms are needed to modernize the system using technology, increase monitoring, ensure quality and quantity of supplies, and make authorities more accountable to resolve issues and protect citizens' rights. The goal is to fix deficiencies so the system can reliably deliver affordable food security to poor families across India.

3. • The Public Distribution System of India is not without its defects. With a coverage of around 40
crore BPL(Below Poverty Line) families, a review of the PDS has discovered the following
structural shortcomings and disturbances:
• Growing instances of the consumers receiving inferior quality food grains in ration shops.
• Deceitful dealers replace good supplies received from the F.C.I(Food Corporation of India) with
inferior stock and sell FCI stock in the black market.
• Illicit fair price shop owners have been found to create large number of bogus cards to sell food
grains in the open market.
• Many FPS dealers resort to malpractice, illegal diversions of commodities, hoarding and black
marketing due to the minimal salary received by them.
• Numerous malpractices make safe and nutritious food inaccessible and unaffordable to many
poor thus resulting in their food insecurity.
• Identification of households to be denoted status and distribution to granted PDS services has
been highly irregular and diverse in various states.
• Regional allocation and coverage of FPS are unsatisfactory and the core objective of price
stabilization of essential commodities has not met.

6.  Ultra modern vending machines to be placed in
metro cities/urban areas.
 All subsidised commodities should be packed in
packets (quality and quantity assured) with different
package sizes, all packs should have a unique
number, and that number should be mentioned in
bills.
 All BPL accounts will be linked through Aadhar card
 CCTV cameras to be installed in fair price shops.
 GPS devices will be used in transportation
 ALL THIS TO BE CENTRALLY UPDATED/MONITERED

7.  All shops must have computerized system which
includes-
 Proper paper bill, which is updated against the buyer
name with product serial number in the central
register.
 Vendor can only sell products, when a magnetic strip
card along with thumb impression is given to the
computer system. (Thumb impression and magnetic
strip by Aadhar card)
 Text messages after every bill to registered mobile
number.
 Again all transition will be updated in central register
daily.

8.  Shops will have a compulsory sound system, which
will inform about the rights of buyers, in their
regional/local language.
 Shops will have a display screen, which will inform
about the rates, quantity allotted, quantity available
etc.
 Languages will be regional/local
 Course material/special classes should be designed
for students in village schools.
 Street plays can be done for local villagers.
 Mass media should be actively used (Radio, TV,
Newspapers etc.)

9.  The state authorities will be held responsible for bad quality and
for improper quantity after receiving PDS commodities from
central (FCI).
 The same system applies for fair price shop.
 If any irregularities are found by state in commodities, they have to
contact within 7 days after delivery of commodities, otherwise
they will be responsible for any irregularity.
 The case will be same for FPS. They, too, would have to contact
with the state authorities.
 There will be a monitoring officer for shops in an area, for
example 1 officer per 10 shops.
 Again there will be a superior to these officers, and finally a head
officer. These officers will be held responsible for their area
(Quality and Quantity).

10. Customers can buy product from any shop within the state or
country, as most of the villagers migrate readily, in search of
work.
If the centre feels that there are irregularities in the system,
then it can allot a tender to a private distinguished company,
with a huge security deposit, which will be seized when above
mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, and if any irregularities
still remain.

11.  A dedicated toll free number should start.
 Any one with a valid complaint would get his/her product
replaced in 48 hours and an amount Rs500.
 Complaints have to be resolved in 72 hours.
 An immediate complaint will be registered automatically against
the FPS, or any concerned authority.
 The human resource saved in vending machines can be used in villages
of the state.
 Thus making F.P.S network morevast.

12. There will be at least 2% chances of black
marketing of food.
 Malnutrition level and hunger will
decrease.
 Healthy and happy society will be
intuitive.
 BPL family will get nutrient and pure food.
 People will get awareness of their rights
and duties.
 Possibility of spoiling of food will
decrease.
 Government officers will be vigilant and
alert of their duties.
 Food packets will reach right hands