An Analysis of the Public Distribution System: Coverage and Utilization in The Sikkim Himalayas”

Abstract

The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is a government program aimed at ensuring food security, especially for those who belong to below the poverty line. It distributes essential commodities like rice, wheat, and kerosene at a subsidized rate through Fair Price Shops. In Sikkim, limited agricultural capacity due to geography results in high living costs, increasing dependency in importing food grains from neighbouring states. The Public Distribution System helps economically weaker sections by providing affordable food, contributing to the state's economic development and improving residents' quality of life. Therefore, the present study is focused on ascertaining the utilisation of the Public Food Distribution System in accordance with its coverage, aiming to identify any potential gaps to determine the effectiveness of the PDS in Sikkim state. The study is based on primary data collected from the ration card holders following a stratified random sampling method and the gap analysis has been conducted by making a difference between the coverage wise utilisation and the utilisation which has actually been undertaken by the beneficiaries. The study discloses a gap of 325 metric tons of rice indicating underutilization of foodgrains. It was observed that PHH beneficiaries often overconsume, while those under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Other Priority Household-General (OPH-General) schemes face under consumption due to misguidance from shop owners and rigid distribution practices.