Casting the Net: India's Public Distribution System after the Food Security Act

Abstract

This paper presents a broad-brush assessment of the public distribution system in six of India’s poorest states soon after the National Food Security Act came into force. Important gains have been made, including broader coverage, lower targeting errors, accelerated PDS reforms, and greater political commitment to food security. In four of the six reference states, the PDS seems to be doing reasonably well, but the last two (Bihar and Jharkhand) still have a long way to go. Even in the leading states, much remains to be done to achieve the purpose of the Act – ending food insecurity.