भारत में खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए केंद्रीय विपणन प्रणाली (PDS) से भारतीय खाद्य निगम (FCI) की भूमिका पर चर्चा कीजिए तथा FCI की कार्यप्रणाली में सुधार के लिए आवश्यक सुधार सुझाएं। (15 अंक, 250 शब्द) / Discuss the role of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security in India. Suggest necessary reforms in the functioning of FCI to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

FCI plays a major role in procurement of food grains under National Food Security Act, 2013. It helps to augment the PDS system to ensure food security.

Role of FCI in the procurement and distribution:

i) Procurement of food grains and other crops from farmers at MSP

ii) Storage and handling of procured food grains

iii) Provides the food grains to the PDS at issue price

iv) Difference in MSP and issue price subsidised by the government for FCI functioning (Budgetary support)

Reasons for low efficiencies and effectiveness:

i) Lack of storage infrastructure to store such large quantities

ii) Policy of First-in-First-Out - requiring large storage infrastructure

iii) Schemes such as PM Garib Kalyan Yojana burdening FCI finances

iv) Leakages and corruption - selling of the food grains in export markets - which were marked for PDS

v) Low technology adoption for efficient transportation and distribution

vi) Central collection instead of decentralized model

Necessary reforms needed in FCI functioning:

i) Reduce the number of beneficiaries

Currently around 66-71. Issue prices do be slightly higher for less poor (NITI Aayog suggestion)

ii) Decentralised procurement and storage - reduction in transportation cost

iii) GPS tracking of the trucks to prevent leakages

iv) Availability of storage infrastructure to friends the wastage

(Eg) PACS scheme to improve storage

v) Reduction in off-budget market borrowings to fund deficit

vi) Food coupons for remote beneficiaries

Diversified procurement, decentralised model and effective distribution (Andhra Based) can help in achieving food security and SDG1 of zero poverty and SDG2 of zero hunger.