Indian Agricultural: Growth, Generation, Policy & Problem Indian Agricultural | Page 44

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stocks for export. Thus, given the present crisis in the food grain management in the country, the
Committee recommended for immediate and bold initiatives to correct the imbalances. In the opinion
of the Committee, the existing measures taken by the government for the purpose of reducing stocks
have pertained only to disposal and distribution and have not addressed the critical issue of
procurement. In the committee's assessment, present level of stocks cannot be reduced unless there
is corresponding reduction in procurement.
Public Distribution System (PDS):
Introduced in the wake of Bengal famine 1943, the PDS has come out to be the most important
constituent of India's food policy. The need for a public distribution, as an effective instrument of price
stabilization in the national economy was emphasized time and again in various food grains enquiry
committee reports. Starting with Theodore Gregory's recommendation 1943, followed by Food grains
Procurement Committee Report of 1950-51 asking for a controlled system of procurement and
distribution of food grains. The Food grains Policy Committee 1966 laid emphasis on equitable
distribution of food grains by making the surplus produces in surplus states available at reasonable
prices to non-producing consumers as well as to the deficit states with prime objective to protect the
low-income groups people from the adverse impact of food shortages. Thus. PDS has been outlined a
vital role after the grains had been procured or imported for the distribution purposes. It is the joint
responsibility of the central and state governments and union territories administrations to ensure the
smooth functioning of public distribution system. While the responsibility of the central government is
to procure, store and transport it from purchase points to central godowns, the responsibility of the
state governments and union territory administrations is to lift these grains from the central godowns
and distribute them to consumers through the network of fair price shops. Historically, the PDS has
been functioning with the following objectives.
a. Maintaining price stability.
b. Raising the welfare of the poor by providing them access to basic foods at reasonable prices.
c. Rationing during scarcity situations and d. Keeping a check on private trades.
Essential Constituents of the PDS:
1. To collect sufficient quantities of food grains so as to able to distribute it throughout the year at
reasonable prices, commensurate with the commitment and coverage either through the internal
procurement or by imports to the extent of necessity.
2. To arrange for the adequate storage capacity at procurement and distribution centers for
operational as well as buffer stocks.
3. To lay down the grain’s specification and quality control at various stages of procurement, storage
and distribution.
Ramesh Kumar P