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Very Short Question and Answers - Challenges in PDS Implementation

Q 1.
What were the stock levels of wheat and rice with the Central pool in 2022?

Ans:

In 2022, the stock levels were 159 LMT of wheat and 104 LMT of rice.

Q 2.
Why is a high level of buffer stocks of foodgrains considered undesirable?

Ans:

High levels of buffer stocks are undesirable because they can lead to wastage, deterioration in grain quality, and high carrying costs.

Q 3.
What is the impact of freezing the Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

Ans:

Freezing the MSP should be considered to control the rising maintenance costs of procuring foodgrains.

Q 4.
Which states exert pressure for increased foodgrain procurement at enhanced MSP?

Ans:

Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh are the states that exert pressure for increased foodgrain procurement at enhanced MSP.

Q 5.
What negative impact has the increased procurement at MSP caused in agricultural production?

Ans:

It has caused farmers to divert land from production of coarse grains, which are staple foods for the poor, to the production of rice and wheat.

Q 6.
How has rice cultivation impacted the environment?

Ans:

Intensive rice cultivation has led to environmental degradation and a fall in water levels, threatening agricultural sustainability.

Q 7.
What trend was observed regarding per capita consumption of rice in rural India from 2004-2012?

Ans:

The per capita consumption of rice in rural India declined from 6.38 Kg in 2004-05 to 5.98 Kg in 2011-12.

Q 8.
How has the PDS rice consumption changed in rural India since 2004-05?

Ans:

Per capita consumption of PDS rice has doubled in rural India since 2004-05.

Q 9.
What malpractice is commonly seen among PDS dealers?

Ans:

PDS dealers sometimes divert grains to the open market for better margins or sell poor quality grains at ration shops.

Q 10.
What issue arises from ration shops having unsold stocks of poor quality grains?

Ans:

Unsold stocks of poor quality grains lead to massive stockpiles with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), creating storage problems.

Q 11.
How has the introduction of TPDS affected food distribution?

Ans:

The introduction of TPDS has resulted in different prices for different types of families, reducing incentives for those above the poverty line to purchase from ration shops.

Q 12.
What role do cooperatives play in food security in India?

Ans:

Cooperatives help ensure food security by selling low-priced goods to poor populations and running fair price shops.

Q 13.
What percentage of fair price shops in Tamil Nadu are run by cooperatives?

Ans:

Around 94 percent of fair price shops in Tamil Nadu are run by cooperatives.

Q 14.
What is Amul known for in the context of food security?

Ans:

Amul is known for its success in milk and milk products and is a key player in the White Revolution in India.

Q 15.
What initiative has the Academy of Development Science (ADS) taken in Maharashtra?

Ans:

ADS has facilitated a network of NGOs for setting up grain banks to improve food security.

Q 16.
What training does the ADS provide to NGOs?

Ans:

ADS organizes training and capacity building programs on food security for NGOs.

Q 17.
What has been acknowledged as a successful food security intervention in Maharashtra?

Ans:

The ADS Grain Bank programme has been acknowledged as a successful and innovative food security intervention.

Q 18.
In what ways has the rise of MSP affected agricultural practices?

Ans:

The rise of MSP has led farmers in surplus states to shift land use from coarse grains to rice and wheat, impacting food diversity.

Q 19.
What was the per capita consumption of PDS wheat in urban India since 2004-05?

Ans:

The per capita consumption of PDS wheat has doubled since 2004-05 in both rural and urban India.

Q 20.
What is a potential consequence of the mixed pricing in the TPDS?

Ans:

Mixed pricing can lead to lower participation from families above the poverty line, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the PDS.

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