Examine the view that Public Distribution System in India shall be made the responsibility of State…

Question

Examine the view that Public Distribution System in India shall be made the responsibility of State Governments.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Making the Public Distribution System a state responsibility has merit for distribution, where states know local needs and can cut leakages, but procurement, storage and buffer stocks need national scale and central finance. A cooperative model is wiser, given about 61% exclusion and 25% inclusion errors nationally.

**Introduction**

The Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act is central to India’s food security, with ongoing debates on shifting full responsibility to State Governments, especially in states like ==Andhra Pradesh⟦2⟧⟦1⟧==.

**Current Responsibility Structure**

1. **Centre-State Dual Roles**: The Centre procures food grains via FCI and allocates them; states identify beneficiaries and manage distribution, with states like ==Andhra Pradesh== adopting digitisation and monitoring reforms.  
2. **Procurement and Storage Issues**: Audits reveal storage shortfalls and wastage, questioning centralised procurement sustainability.

**Arguments for State Responsibility**

1. **Local Needs and Flexibility**: States can customise PDS to local conditions, as ==Andhra Pradesh== uses technology for ration card portability and grievance redressal under One Nation-One Ration Card.  
2. **Accountability and Efficiency**: State control can reduce bureaucratic delays⟦3⟧ and improve transparency, supported by State Level Standing Committees (SLSC) and District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (DISHA).

**Challenges and Benefits**

1. **Fiscal Constraints**: ==Andhra Pradesh==’s fiscal deficit target (3.8%⟦4⟧ of GSDP) shows the limited fiscal room states have to carry large food subsidies, a key risk in decentralisation.  
2. **Monitoring and Innovation**: Audits revealing ₹968 Cr excess payments in Andhra Pradesh stress the need for robust oversight, while state IT-enabled monitoring shows the scope for innovation.

**Way Forward**

1. **Strengthen State Capacity**: Invest in infrastructure and technology, learning from ==Andhra Pradesh==’s digitisation and monitoring efforts.  
2. **Enhance Fiscal Transfers**: Increase earmarked grants for food security.  
3. **Robust Monitoring**: Empower committees like SLSC and DISHA for transparency.

**Conclusion**

State responsibility for PDS can improve responsiveness and innovation but demands fiscal support and strong coordination to avoid disparities.

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