Question 14GS3GS2

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.

Main Body

Food Corporation of India FCI procures food at issue price and procures at MSP (Minimum Support Price). Role of FCI in PDS to ensure food security: (1) Largest food welfare program by 75% rural population + 50% urban population = 67% total coverage. (2) FCI centrality in PDS: Familysells to FCI at MSPGodownsStoragePeopleState PDSissue price With structure: People, State, State PDS center, Central PDS center, Central issue price (3) Welfare & food security costing 2 lakh crores annually. Women empowerment: - Head of household - women above 18 years of age. - Extra benefit to pregnant lactating mothers. (4) 5kg per person or 35kg to antiyodge households.

However issues in FCI & PDS: (1) Administrative cost 40% basportation. (2) Wastage & storage improper storage. (3) Regional imbalance to procurement & distribution. Reforms in functioning of FCI to enhance efficiency & effectiveness - (1) Cooperative Model in FCI procurement on lines of Tamil Nadu. (2) Enhancing quality of storage: cold storage, proper ventilation, protection from mites etc. (3) Reduce transportation cost: use of technology, tital rails, storaging facilities etc. (4) Local systems approach: local granaries should be met with local supply of foodgrains. (5) Diversification of PDS grains to multinerritional substitutes (eg pulses, millets etc.) FCI plays central role in achievement of SDG1 of reducing poverty and SDG2 of eliminating hunger.

2Reduce transportation cost: Use of technology, tital rails, storing facilities etc. (4) Local systems approach: by local granaries should be met with local supply of foodgrains. (5) Diversification of PDS grains to multinerritional substitutes (eg pulses, millets etc.)

271 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

FCI plays central role in achievement of SDG1 of reducing poverty and SDG2 of eliminating hunger.

16 words

Diagram

Flow chart showing FCI procurement system: Family sells to FCI at MSP → Godowns/Storage → State (with State PDS center) → Central (with Central PDS center, Central issue price)

Open original scan

Page 33

Topper

Komal Punia

Subject & Paper

GS3GS2

Topic

Government Policies and Interventions - Design, Implementation and Issues

Government Schemes and Policies

Writing Stats

287

Total words

Paragraphs