In a bold move to enhance efficiency and sustainability, an expert panel appointed by the Kerala government has proposed a comprehensive restructuring of the state’s Public Distribution System (PDS). The key recommendation includes reducing the number of ration shops from the current 14,000 to 10,000.
Kerala has long been praised for its extensive and effective PDS. Before the introduction of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in 1997, the state operated a nearly universal system, ensuring food security for all. However, TPDS brought challenges, particularly reduced subsidies for Above Poverty Line (APL) households, which led to a decline in the number of active ration shops.
To counter these challenges, Kerala implemented modernization measures, including the electronic Public Distribution System (e-PDS), integrating electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) devices to enhance transparency and efficiency. By 2017, significant progress had been made, with computerized ration shops and streamlined supply chain management systems improving the system’s effectiveness.
Now, the expert panel warns that simply increasing wages to sustain the PDS is not a viable long-term solution and could result in a financial crisis. Instead, optimizing the number of ration shops and restructuring the distribution network is seen as the key to ensuring both efficiency and accessibility.
If implemented, these recommendations would mark a significant shift in Kerala’s approach to public food distribution, balancing cost-effectiveness with the commitment to food security for all citizens.
