A Study on Factors Influencing Level of Utilisation of Public Distribution System - with Special Reference to Pollachi Taluk

Abstract

Government of India provides food (ration) at highly subsidized rates to the poor people through public distribution system (PDS). Cooperation, food, and consumer protection department of the Government lays down the policy for public distribution system. Public distribution system in Tamil Nadu is a universal system to cover all the needy families by supplying rice at a price much lower than the BPL price fixed by the Government of India under the targeted public distribution system. Also it ensures food security to all citizens, particularly poor people, by making essential commodities of good quality available at affordable prices every month, through a chain of shops called ration shops (or Fair Price shops). The study aims to find out the utilization level of PDS by the public for which 350 ration cardholders belonging to Pollachi Taluk (Coimbatore Dist., Tamil Nadu, India) were surveyed and the data were collected through questionnaire (literates) and interview schedule (for illiterates). It was found that cardholders have moderate satisfaction only and it was suggested to improve the working of PDS by opening the shops on Sundays, quantity of few items can be increased during festival time, etc. The result of the study is based on the opinions given by the cardholders of Pollachi taluk. It might not be applicable to other places.

Keywords: Public Distribution System, Cardholders, Below Poverty Line (BPL)

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