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RAS question

The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India primarily distributes:

Correct answer: (B) Rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene at subsidized prices through Fair Price Shops.

The Public Distribution System in India primarily distributes wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene through Fair Price Shops at subsidised prices.

  1. (A)

    Fertilizers and seeds

  2. (B)

    Rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene at subsidized prices through Fair Price Shops

  3. (C)

    Only milk and dairy products

  4. (D)

    Clothing and shelter materials

Explanation

PDS is a welfare distribution system, not an agricultural-input or general relief channel. The Department of Food and Public Distribution bulletin says the Central government, through FCI, is responsible for procurement, storage, transport and bulk allocation of foodgrains, while States handle ration cards, family identification and supervision of Fair Price Shops. It also identifies wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene as the commodities allocated to States and Union Territories for distribution under PDS. Under the current NFSA/PMGKAY entitlement structure, each Antyodaya Anna Yojana household gets 35 kg per month and each Priority Household person gets 5 kg per month, with free foodgrains extended for five years from 1 January 2024. So option B captures both the commodity basket and the delivery channel.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Fertilisers and seeds are agricultural inputs, whereas PDS is described as a ration-card and Fair Price Shop system for distributing foodgrains and specified essential commodities.
  • (C) Milk and dairy products are not part of the PDS commodity list in the Department of Food and Public Distribution bulletin, which names wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene.
  • (D) Clothing and shelter materials are not the primary PDS basket; the Department of Food and Public Distribution bulletin lists wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene, with some States only adding limited mass-consumption items through PDS outlets.

Concept

This tests the welfare-geography link between food security, state delivery networks and the Targeted Public Distribution System. RAS often repeats it because PDS connects poverty, ration cards, FCI procurement and Fair Price Shops in one core governance mechanism.

Source

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