- Definition: PDS is a system for management of scarcity and distribution of food grains.
- It provides essential commodities at affordable prices.
- Functioning:
- Evolved during 2nd World War, focused on urban areas in 1960s.
- Extended to tribal blocks and poverty areas in 1970s-80s.
- Commodities distributed: wheat, rice, sugar, kerosene (some states also pulses, oils).
- TPDS (1997) focused on the poor, requiring states to identify beneficiaries.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) (2000) for poorest of the poor families.
- Food grains issued from central pool at Central Issue Price (CIP).