Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.180
The Role of Public Distribution System in Ensuring Food Security-A Study
on Indira Canteen in Bangalore City
Nirmala M.M., Dr. K.K. Seethamma
Department of Economics, Retired Professor,
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Economics,
Jain University, Bengaluru – 560001. Bangalore University,
Bangalore – 560056.
Abstract:
Food security has been a cause of concern for the most of the developing and under developed nations.
Providing nutrition to the poor people still remains a major challenge to the government. In India the rationing system
which was introduced by British has overcome with the new outlook as PDS (Public Distribution System). Public
Distribution System is one of the basic essential components of food security as it makes an easy availability and
accessibility of food at grass root level. The economic and social policies by India supported public distribution of food
grains for steady planned economic development. Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of
the central and the state governments; the central government through FCI has assumed the responsibility for
procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of food grains to the state. At the state level it varies from one
state to the other, with reference to Karnataka, Food and Civil Supplies Corporation and Taluk Agriculture Produce
Cooperative Marketing Society are involved in fulfilling the requirements.
In compliance with the National Food Security Act Government of Karnataka designed the Anna Bhagya
Scheme provides food security for Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Anthodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, Mid-day Meal
Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services. In this regard Government of Karnataka started a new initiative
“Indira Canteen” to ensure food security to the migrant labours, unskilled workers, rickshaw drivers in limits of
Bangalore city. The present study focuses on the Role of PDS in ensuring food security with the context of Indira
Canteen. The research study is based on the primary and secondary data. The results will be analyzed using appropriate
statistical methods for in-depth inquiry of food security and Indira Canteen.
Keywords:Anthodaya Anna Yojana, Below Poverty Line, Indira Canteen, Migrants, Public Distribution
System
Introduction
The rationing system which was introduced by British in India with a new outlook as PDS (Public
Distribution System) the government of India has played a dominating role and has made considerable efforts
to improve food production and to distribute equally to the masses. Public Distribution System has been
functioning for more than six decades and has helped the government to alleviate the poverty to large extent.
This system serves the triple objective of protecting the poor, enhancing the nutritional status and generating a
moderate influence on the market prices.
Karnataka government have taken positive initiative towards Public Distribution System in ensuring
food security among the vulnerable segment of the population, many new ventures have been adopted to make
Public Distribution System effective, such as unit system for the distribution of food grains to the card
holders, under this system the family member above the age of 10 years is treated as one unit and is eligible
for 4 kg of food grains, the maximum food grains entitled for a family is 25 kg per month. The second major
noticeable move is computerization of the whole public distribution system through introducing Biometric
ration cards to identify and eliminate the bogus cards issues, under this system the photograph name and other
biometric related details of the family members are mentioned and these information’s are stored in the
database which are directly linked to the machine installed in the FPS, NEMMADI Kendra’s are responsible
for the entire process of generating biometric details of the card holders. Apart from that state government
undertaken certain initiatives such as Temporary card scheme for BPL, Commission of retailers, License to
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.181
the Retail distributors, Viability of FPSs, Wholesale Distribution, Transportation, Vigilance Committees,
Identification of BPL beneficiaries etc. Indira canteen is the one such initiative in the similar lines to ensure
food security.
Review of Literature
Kavitha (2014) “Evaluation of Public Distribution system in India” the paper discussed the current
scenario of public distribution system across the states in, it emphasis on the working of P.D.S and some
policy measured for effective functioning. Five states like west Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Uttar
Pradesh & Maharashtra account for all most half of the total P.D.S off take. Only nine states the share in total
off take is lower than the share in the total population. Finally the study highlighted that the Effective
administration of P.D.S minimizes the defects of existing P.D.S in India.Shaw and Telidevara (2014) in their
study they found that the study were BPL card holders cereal consumption is high than the non-cereals food
items without affecting the overall calorie consumption. Thus PDS in India induces household to consume
more cereals and less of non-cereals without significantly changing the overall calorie consumption.
TanksaleandJha (2015) “Implementing National Food Security Act in India issues and challenges” This
paper identify the various aspects of National Food Security Act about effort of Indian government to protect
the right of the people for food and fight against hunger with special focus for women empowerment, Life
cycle approach, consideration of vulnerable sections of society and the proposed reforms in Public
Distribution System and also identified issues and challenges for its implementation.
Sudhir and Rohit, (2015) “Structural mapping of public distribution system using muti-agent
systems” This paper intended to develop a framework for mapping the Public Distribution System in
India using Multi-agent System(MAS) The entire supply chain of PDS from purchase to distribution is
mapped in detail by integrating stages of PDS supply chain. The implications highlighted by the study
are that will interest the policy makers to understand the shortcomings of Public Distribution System
and suggested a method to model the supply chain of PDS.Elayaraju (2016) “Performance of Targeted
Public Distribution System in India”. The author in his study made an attempt to highlight the effectiveness of
Annabhagya scheme implemented by the Karnataka government under Targeted Public Distribution system.
The study suggested the policy makers that as people in Karnataka dependent on the agriculture for the
livelihood and due to lower real income they receive from agriculture should make Public Distribution System
efficient and effective so the majority will be ensured food security.Bohtanet. al., (2017)“ Supply Chain of the
Indian Public Distribution system –a new paradigm”in their case study authors made an attempt to study the
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in the supply chain of existing Public Distribution System
in India and analyzed with a view to recommend strategies for making the supply chain of PDS more
effective and efficient. The results indicated that the use of ICT solutions as part of Digital India is important
to ensure supply chain of PDS to be effective and efficient.Shekaret. al., (2017)“Empowering People to Power
the PDS- a Process Mapping Analysis of Six Indian States” in their study highlighted the failure of Indian
Public Distribution System in Ensuring food security. The results indicates that every state in India should be
very positive in implementing decentralizing procurement, decentralization of administration, Handing over
the Monitoring and vigilance to the local bodies, use the scientific methods.GeethaPandey - “Indian Indira
Canteen: The best meal you can buy for 13 cents” Indira Canteen aims at providing food at subsidized rate to
daily wage labourers, drivers, security guards, beggars, and vegetable & fruits venders. ManojRajan official in
charge of the project stated that the Indira canteen aims to provide food for migrant population, cab drivers,
students & working couples.
PTI, 2017, Karnataka :– “Two drivers arrested for putting cockroach in food at Indira canteen” The
Indian Express, October 24, 2017 reported that Two Auto rickshaw drivers, Hemanth&devaraj along the two
others arrested for allegedly dropping a cockroach in the food served an Indira canteen & urged the people not
to eat there & also threatened the canteen staff. Police said the footages of C.C.T.V installed inside the
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.182
canteen shown of Hemanth getting cockroach with him and putting it the food served in the Indira canteen.
According to the Police these attempts was done for the publicity & were not affiliated with any political
party.IpsitaBasu, Naveen Menezee, SmitaBalram, DivyaShekhar 2017, The Economic Times, October 13,
2017. “Indira canteen: The inside story of Siddaramaiah pet project.” The authors reported that there were
more skeptics man believers when Siddaramaiah started 198 Indira Canteen with the cost of 1,00 crore, For
the smooth functioning of the process stocks are replenished every three days, Vegetables are chopped night
before & stored, menu is carefully made & time is managed in a way that the delivery truck reaches the forest
canteen. Nodal officer appointed by the BBMP for every canteen, he weigh the food before it is dispatched
from the kitchen & when it arrives at the canteen. C.C.T.V cameras have also been installed in the kitchens &
canteens.K.V AdityaBharadwaj (2017) “Karnataka launches” Indira canteen in Bangalore.The Hindu, August
16, 2017 Bangalore edition. The article highlighted about the Inauguration of Indira Canteen by Rahul Gandhi
Vice President congress in Bangalore.Indira Canteen aims at serving food for poor at subsidized rates in the
cities. According to Siddaramaih Indira Canteen is the new initiative of the Karnataka government in
continuation of Anna Bhagya Scheme. The Chief Minister said the people who oppose this programme are
Anti - Poor & Anti - downtrodden”.K.C Deepika, 2011 “Most popular Indira Canteen serves up over 3,000
meals every day”. November 11 2011, Bangalore edition, this canteen rank beet in terms of demand the food
served in this canteen is estimated as 1200 plates of breakfast & lunch & 1000 plates of dinner on an average
every day. The number will drop to 600 during holidays still considered as better than the average number of
plates in other Indira Canteen. MS. Poornima the Supervisor of the canteen said that many times they had to
call police department to manage the crowd & they ask the security guard to shut the gate to control the
people if the food gate over & also for the time they need for the preparation to serve dinner.
Objectives of the Study:
The present study emphasizes the following objective;
1. To analyze the role of Indira canteen in ensuring food security under Public distribution system.
2. To focus the effectiveness of Indira canteen in ensuring food security.
Methodology of the study:
The research study is based on the primary and secondary data. The results have been analyzed using
appropriate statistical methods for in-depth inquiry of food security through Indira Canteen. A total of 50
respondents were randomly selected, 10 each from Bangalore Central, South, North, East and West. A well-
structured Interview schedule was used to collect the responses.
Results and Discussions:
To study the role of PDS in ensuring the food security with the context of Indira canteen few
questions were raised and the data was collected through the interview schedule. An attempt has been made to
understand the age group of the beneficiaries who are benefited by the canteen.
Table: 1- Age Group of the Beneficiaries
Age Group Frequency Percent
21-35
34 68
36-55
14 28
56-65
2 4
Total 50 100
The above table clearly points that majority of the beneficiaries belong to the age group of 21-35
which accounts 68% of the total respondents, 28% of the beneficiaries are between the age group of 36-55 and
only 4% of the beneficiaries are between the age group of 56-65. The above figures confirms about the
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.183
success of Indira canteen in achieving its primary objective of providing food at subsidized price to the
students, drivers, construction workers, migrants etc.
The present study also made an attempt to know the Educational qualification of the beneficiaries to
analyze the effectiveness of Indira canteen.
Table:2- Educational Qualification of the Beneficiaries
Educational Qualification
Frequency
Percentage
Illiterates
7 14
SSLC
11 22
PUC
14 28
Graduates
16 32
Post Graduates
2 4
Total
50 100
The above data shows that the 32% of the beneficiaries are the Graduates, 28% are the PUC holders,
22% are the SSLC holders, 4% are the Post Graduate and only 7 % of the beneficiaries are the Illiterates. State
government took this initiative with an aim of providing subsidized food to the people who doesn’t have time
to cook to the vulnerable section of the society.
The study also aimed to understand how did the beneficiaries got to know about the Indira Canteen to
know how popular the initiative among the people in Bangalore urban.
Table: 3- Get to know (Choose the right title)
Knowing about canteen
Frequency
Percentage
word by the mouth
5 10
Through the friends
11 22
through government agencies
9 18
through mass media
21 42
others
4 8
Total
50 100
The above table states that 42% of the total respondents got to know about the Indira Canteen through
the mass media, 22% through the friends, 18% by the government agencies such as BBMP Notifications&
announcements, 10% word by the mouth and 8% by the others. The print and mass media played very
14
22
28
32
4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Illetrate
SSLC
PUC
Graduate
Post
Graduate
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.184
important role in reaching the people about the location, Food availability and the subsidized prices of the
Indira canteen and in fact this is the one factor contributed for the success of the Indira Canteen.
To study the effectiveness of Indira Canteen the data pertaining to the types of the cards hold by the
beneficiaries are collected.
Table: 4- Type of the PDS Cards
Type of PDS Card
Frequency
Percentage
No card Holders
7 14
APL Holders
18 36
BPL Holders
25 50
Anthodaya Holders
0 0
Others
0 0
Total
50 100
The majority of the beneficiaries of the canteen were BPL card holders, 50% of the card holders hold
the BPL cards which specify that the Indira canteen is an aid to the BPL families, 36% of the beneficiaries
hold APL cards and 14% of the beneficiaries did not possess any cards.
The study made an attempt to understand the various parameters to analyze the role and effectiveness
of Indira Canteen.
word by mouththrough friendsthrough govtthrough mass media others
10
22
18
42
8
0
10
20
30
40
50
no card APL BPL Anthodaya Others
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.185
Table 5: Respondents Satisfaction on Indira Canteen.
Parameters
Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Quality
66 %
34 %
Timings
56 %
44 %
Quantity
50 %
50 %
Cleanliness and Hygienic
86 %
14 %
One of the parameter in those lines was the satisfaction of food with respect to quality 66% of the
beneficiaries were highly satisfied with the food provided in the canteen only 34% of the beneficiaries were
not satisfied with the quality of the food provided. With regard to the timings 56% of the respondents were
satisfied with the timings of food provided but 44% of the respondents shared their displeasure towards the
timings and the long queues in the Indira canteen. About the quantity of food provided in the canteen the
mixed opinions raised by the beneficiaries 50% of them were happy about the quantity provided and 50%
were not satisfied by the quantity of food provided. Cleanliness of the Indira canteen was also one of the
parameter to assess the effectiveness 86% of the beneficiaries were satisfied by the cleanliness and hygiene
maintained in the canteen 14 % of the beneficiaries were not satisfied.
The study also identified that 58% of the beneficiaries visited the canteen only once a day that too for
Breakfast, 38% visited twice a day and only 4% of the beneficiaries visit thrice a day. Near about 72% of the
beneficiaries agreed that Indira Canteen is successful in ensuring the food security and 28% of the population
disagreed.
Conclusion:
Indira canteen is one of the effective venture of Karnataka government in providing subsidized food
for the construction workers, students, auto rickshaw drivers & unskilled labourers in ensuring food security.
State government can take the necessary measures to overcome the defects and to reach the benefits of the
canteen to right section of the society. By tackling the technical hitches it can contribute for the success of the
canteen and can extended to the other districts of Karnataka.
References:
1. Ambekar, S., Kapoor, R., & Mehta, P. (2015). Structural mapping of public distribution system using multi-
agent systems. Business Process Management Journal, 21(5), 1066-1090.
2. Bohtan, A., Vrat, P., & Vij, A. K. (2017). Supply chain of the Indian public distribution system: a new
paradigm. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 14(1), 110-123.
3. Elayaraja, K., & Manjunath, T. R. (2016). Performance of Targeted Public Distribution System In Karnataka.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, 5(12), 111-118.
4. Geetha Pandey - “Indian Indira Canteen: The best meal you can buy for 13 cents” BBC, News November 2017.
5. Ipsita Basu, Naveen Menezee, Smita Balram, Divya Shekhar 2017, The Economic Times, October 13,
2017.“Indira canteen: The inside story of Siddaramaiah pet project.”
6. K.C Deepika, 2017 “Most popular Indira Canteen serves up over 3,000 meals every day”. November 11 2017,
Bangalore edition,
7. K.V Aditya Bharadwaj (2017) “Karnataka launches” Indira canteen in Bangalore. The Hindu, August 16, 2017
Bangalore edition.
8. Kavitha. (2014). Evaluation of Public distribution system in India. International Journal of advanced research
in management & Social Sciences, 3(4), 25-30.
Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ)
UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Vol
-
V
Issue
-
III
MARCH
201
8
ISSN 2349
-
638x
Impact Factor 4.574
Email id’s:
-
,
aayushijournal@gmail.com
I
Mob.0
8999250451
website :- www.aiirjournal.com l UGC Approved Sr.No.64259
Page
No.186
9. PTI, 2017, Karnataka. “Two drivers arrested for putting cockroach in food at Indira canteen” The Indian
Express, October 24, 2017
10. Sekher, M., Parasuraman, S., Pritchard, B., Kumar, S. S., & Rai, R. K. (2017). Empowering People to Power the
Public Distribution System - A Process Mapping Analysis of Six Indian States. Economic & Political Weekly,
LII(51), 97-107.
11. Shaw, T. S., & Telidevara, S. (2014). Does food subsidy affect household nutrition?: Some evidence from the
Indian Public Distribution System. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 34(1/2), 107-132.
12. Tanksale, J., & Jha, J. (2015). Implementing National Food Security Act in India: issues and challenges. British
Food Journal, 117(4), 1315-1335.
Reports Referred:
GOI, (2015-2016). Annual Report - Department of food and public distribution, Ministry of Consumer affairs,
food and public distribution, New Delhi.
GOI, (2014--2015). Annual Report – Department of Consumer affairs, Ministry of Consumer affairs, food and
public distribution, New Delhi.
GOI, (2005). Performance evaluation of Targeted Public Distribution System, Programme evaluation
organization planning commission, New Delhi.
National Food Security Bill, (2013).
Justice Wadhwa Committee report, (2009). Public Distribution System Karnataka.
Economic Survey of Karnataka, Annual report (2015-2016).
Food and Agriculture Organization, Report (2013).
Global food security Index, Report (2014).
