Evolution of Public Distribution System in India, 1939-2013

Abstract

The present article explores the evolution of Public Distribution System in India from its initiation in 1939 to 2013. Up to the mid-sixties the PDS was seen as a mere rationing system to distribute the scarce commodities. Later it was seen as a Fair price system and imports constituted a major proportion in the supplies for PDS. After 1978 there was a large-scale expansion of the PDS supported by domestic procurement and stocks. In 1992 the targeted PDS was transformed from a general and universal scheme to a scheme targeting food subsidy to BPL households. After the enactment of National Food Security Bill (2013), the TPDS in now being transformed into a legal entitlement based food security system.