Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System :
- 1The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State / Union Territories.
- 2Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments.
- 3Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries.
- 4Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A2 and 3
- B1, 2 and 3
- C1 and 2
- D3 and 4
Explanation
Statement 1 is true: PDS operates under the joint responsibility of the Centre and the States/UTs. Statement 2 is true: the Food Corporation of India handles procurement, storage and transportation of foodgrains to the states. Statement 3 is false: identification of eligible households/beneficiaries is the states' responsibility, not a joint Centre-State one. Statement 4 is true: several states distribute additional items of mass consumption such as pulses and edible oil through PDS outlets. Hence 1, 2 and 4. (Note: the option text in this transcription reads '1, 2 and 3', but the original paper's option (b) is '1, 2 and 4' as rendered by testbook and Mrunal's economy notes; the key letter is unchanged.)