The document discusses issues with India's Public Distribution System (PDS) and proposes solutions to improve its reach and efficiency. It notes that while India has significant food production, many people still face hunger and poverty due to corruption within PDS. Three solutions are proposed: 1) Implementing automated ration dispensing machines using biometric identification. 2) Recruiting young people to regularly monitor PDS operations and prevent corruption. 3) Replacing manual record keeping with computerized software and hiring IT professionals to manage PDS data. However, each solution faces challenges such as high costs, risk of manipulation, and potential unemployment. Overall, the document argues that technological and youth-driven reforms could revolutionize PDS and reduce hunger in India

1. The Fight or Right for Food?
Plugging the leaks: Improving
reach and efficiency of PDS

3. Public Distribution System (PDS)
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM as a social safety net can be understood by the fact
that aggregate availability of food grains per se is not enough to ensure ability to
acquire food grains. We are a trillion dollar economy, which is also one of the world’s
fastest developing economies, yet with abysmally low ranks in the world’s poverty
and 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 India
from solving this vexing problem of PUBLIC “DISTURB-UTION” System!
The problem is not because of the
population but it is due to the
corrupted minds who are responsible
for the PDS. This country is known
for its agriculture which is a pride for
our country that implies our nation
will never be under food scarcity. But
all of this is an illusion because most
of our population is facing which we
do not call a “life”.

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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:

7. 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.”

8. 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.

9. 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”

10. 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

11. 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