Question

Answer the following question in five to six sentences:
Explain the drawbacks of the Public Distribution System.

Answer 1

The drawbacks of the Public Distribution System are: 
i. Limited benefits to poor:

1. Under the Public Distribution System, food grains are provided to ration cardholders only.
2. These ration cards are issued on the basis of a residential address.
3. So, seasonal migrant workers and homeless people are not able to get their benefits.

ii. Regional disparities:

1. Some regions are well developed, while some are less developed.
2. In some states, a large number of families are below the poverty line.
3. But, the off-take of food grains through the Public Distribution System is not accordingly.
4. Due to this regional imbalance, most people are not able to get the benefits of the Public Distribution System.

iii. Urban bias: 

1. Nearly 75% of fair price shops are in rural areas but, the off-take of food grains through the Public Distribution System is more in urban areas.
2. The transport system in villages is not as efficient as in the cities.
3. At times, food grains and Kerosene are not available in most of the fair price shops in rural areas.

iv. Inefficient Food Corporation of India:

1. It is the duty of the Food Corporation of India to supply food grains for distribution through fair price shops.
2. But, there are some inefficiencies.
3. Excess stock of food grains is not stored properly.
4. Therefore, it creates a scarcity of food grains even after an increase in production.