Public Distribution System and Tribal Development

Book Details

• Author: Manu Gautam

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 8131600327

• Pages: 256

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

"Food Insecurity and Public Distribution System: A Case Study with Special Reference to Dhår, India" critically examines the problem of food insecurity in India and the role of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in mitigating this issue. Despite India’s status as one of the world’s largest producers of food, a significant portion of the population remains food insecure, especially in rural and tribal areas. The inability of the poor to access adequate nutrition, in a country where foodgrains are stored as buffer stocks, raises crucial questions about the effectiveness of the development process in providing food security for all.

The study specifically focuses on the implementation of the PDS in a tribal-dominated area of Madhya Pradesh, a region marked by inaccessibility, low purchasing power, and volatile market conditions. While the PDS aims to provide subsidized foodgrains to the poor, especially during droughts, famines, and natural calamities, it has not fully eradicated food insecurity.

The book analyzes the shortcomings of the PDS and offers suggestions for improving its reach and effectiveness, particularly in tribal areas like Dhår, where the poor’s dependence on the market is limited, and access to food remains a challenge.

About the Author

Manu Gautam holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Pune University and is currently a Fellow at the Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain. His research interests include food security, watershed development, and issues related to displacement and rehabilitation. He is presently conducting an ICSSR-sponsored research project on ‘Watershed Management in Madhya Pradesh.’