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Very Short Question and Answers - Public Distribution System (PDS)

Q 1.
What does the acronym PDS stand for in the context of Indian food security?

Ans:

PDS stands for Public Distribution System.

Q 2.
What is the main purpose of the Public Distribution System (PDS)?

Ans:

The main purpose of the PDS is to distribute food procured by the FCI through government-regulated ration shops to the poorer sections of society.

Q 3.
Approximately how many ration shops are there all over India?

Ans:

There are about 5.5 lakh ration shops across the country.

Q 4.
What items are typically available at ration shops?

Ans:

Ration shops usually keep stock of food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking.

Q 5.
What types of ration cards are mentioned in the document?

Ans:

The three types of ration cards mentioned are Antyodaya cards, BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards, and APL (Above Poverty Line) cards.

Q 6.
When did the introduction of rationing in India primarily begin?

Ans:

The introduction of rationing in India began in the 1940s against the backdrop of the Bengal famine.

Q 7.
What significant event in the 1960s prompted the revival of the rationing system?

Ans:

The rationing system was revived due to an acute food shortage during the 1960s, prior to the Green Revolution.

Q 8.
What are the three important food intervention programs introduced in the mid-1970s?

Ans:

The three important food intervention programs are the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and Food-for-Work (FFW).

Q 9.
When was the National Food Security Act enacted?

Ans:

The National Food Security Act was enacted in 2013.

Q 10.
What is the target population for food security under the National Food Security Act?

Ans:

Under the National Food Security Act, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are categorized as eligible households for food security.

Q 11.
How does the PDS contribute to food security?

Ans:

The PDS contributes to food security by providing food items at lower prices than the market price to low-income families.

Q 12.
What is the role of Fair Price Shops in the PDS?

Ans:

Fair Price Shops serve as ration shops where eligible families can buy subsidized food items.

Q 13.
What stipulations are set for purchasing items from ration shops?

Ans:

Families with ration cards can buy specified amounts of items each month, such as 35 kg of grains, 5 liters of kerosene, and 5 kg of sugar.

Q 14.
How do employment programs contribute to food security?

Ans:

Employment programs contribute to food security by increasing the income of the poor, enabling them to better afford food.

Q 15.
What was a major reason for the launch of the ICDS program?

Ans:

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program was launched as a food intervention program to improve child nutrition and health.

Q 16.
What was the initial reason for establishing the rationing system in India?

Ans:

The initial reason for establishing the rationing system was to address food scarcity during the Bengal famine.

Q 17.
What is the significance of the three types of ration cards?

Ans:

The three types of ration cards categorize households based on their economic status to ensure that food subsidies reach those who need them most.

Q 18.
What are the main components of food security programming in India?

Ans:

Main components include the Public Distribution System, mid-day meals, and various Poverty Alleviation Programs (PAPs) with food components.

Q 19.
Which government body is primarily responsible for food procurement in India?

Ans:

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is primarily responsible for food procurement in India.

Q 20.
List one example of how PDS has evolved over the years.

Ans:

Over the years, the PDS has been restructured with growing experience and now includes explicit food security programs through various initiatives.

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