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INTRODUCTION
1
1.1 PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OVER VIEW
The Public Distribution System has a great role in our economy. It was
established by Government of India under ministry of consumers’ affairs, food and
public distribution. It is managed jointly by state and government of central India.
Public Distribution System(PDS) is also known as ration shop. The function of PDS
is to distribute subsidized food items and non food items to the poor people. To buy
these items through PDS the people must have a ration card. The items distributed
under PDS are kerosene and food grains such as rice, wheat, sugar etc... Consumers
get food grains at reasonable and fair price i.e. price lower than market price through
these ration shops. It is one of the important food security systems in India.
Now the sale of ration articles across Kerala is completely in digital form
with the Food and Civil Supplies Department deploying E-POS machines in all the
14374 ration shops in the state. The Department of Civil Supplies completed the task
of installation of E –POS machines across all retail ration outlets after connecting
the 3.41 crore ration beneficiaries in the state with the ration card management
system utilising the Aadhar data base. Once this process was completed, all ration
card holders in the state would be linked to the ration card management system,
ensuring total monitoring of the ration distribution system in the state.
2
.1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Now a days, ordinary people in rural area depend heavily on PDS. To certain
extent PDS helps to bridge the gap between have and have not. Therefore it is an
attempt to examine the perception of beneficiaries on the new changes introduced in
PDS. It is also an attempt to study the effectiveness of the new rules.
3
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Ho: There is no significant relationship between the benefits associated with the
changes in PDS and satisfaction regarding the changes.
Ho: There is no significant difference between gender and the problems of changes
introduced in ration shop.
4
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The programme is running under thecontrol ofGovernment to eliminate
poverty and to ensure food security and there of make a balanced economy. But it is
not out of criticisms especially in its functioning. In this fast moving techno based
world, the changes introduced in PDS are necessary. This study will enable to get a
clear picture about the perception of consumers towards the changes introduced in
ration shops and the factors that influence the perception of consumers
The scope of the study is limited to Tirur municipality. This study focuses the
perception of consumers towards the changes introduced in ration shop. Today most
of the households are depends on PDS. So the relevant changes in PDS made a big
impact among them. Therefore the study has a wide scope in this context.
Research design is the blue print for the study. It is basic framework which
provide guidelines for the rest of the research process. The research strategy
employed for this study is the survey strategy which allows an efficient way to
gather the needed information from the population of the study. Survey strategy uses
questionnaire to collecting the data and this study then uses quantitative approach in
analyzing the data. The target population under this study is ration shop consumers
in Tirur area.
5
1.8.2 SAMPLING DESIGN
a) TECHNIQUE OF SAMPLING
Random sampling method is used for the research study. The samples are taken
from the consumers of Tirur municipality. A detailed questionnaire is prepared and
administered among the selected samples.
b) SAMPLE SIZE
The number of samples covered under this study is 100 consumers of PDS in
Tirur municipality.
a) PRIMARY DATA
The study mainly used primary data for drawing inferences. Primary data were
collected using structured questionnaire from the PDS consumers in Tirur
municipality.
b) SECONDARY DATA
For this study, the secondary data were collected from internet, journals and other
publications.
6
1.8.6 INSTRUMENTS USED FOR DATA COLLECTION
Data required for the study was collected through structured questionnaire.
The questionnaire was administered among the sample population of Tirur locality.
The data will be analyzed using various mathematical and statistical tools. The
relationship between the variables will be analyzed using computer software like SPSS.
The statistical package for social scientists (SPSS-X1) was used to process the data.
Relevant statistical tools and techniques such as correlation, t-test and one way ANOVA
are used for analyzing and interpreting the collected data.
Correlation Analysis
Correlation is a statistical tool which studies the relationship between two variables.
t-test
The t- test is any statistical hypothesis test which is most commonly applied when
the test statistic would follow a normal distribution if the values of a scaling term in
the test statistics were known.
ANOVA(Analysis of Variance)
ANOVA is a statistical technique that is used to check if the means of two or more
groups are significantly different from each other. ANOVA check the impact of one
or more factors by comparing the means of different samples.
7
1.10 CHAPTER SCHEMING
This study has been structured in the following manner:
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Review of Literature
Chapter 3. Theoretical Framework
Chapter 4. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Chapter 5. Findings, Suggestions and Conclusion
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
This section includes discussions concerning the practical and theoretical
importance of the topic as well as a description of the research problem. And also
highlight over the objectives, scope of study, research methodology, sources of data,
tools and techniques, period and limitations of study.
8
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
9
Review of literature provides a critical summary of research already done
on the relevant topic. It provides readers with a quick overview of the problem
addressed, stress the need for the new study, and the demonstrates how it will
contribute to existing evidence. Review of literature is conducted to generate
theoretical and scientific knowledge about a particular phenomenon and results in a
synthesis of what is known and unknown about that phenomenon. The primary
purpose of literature is to gain a broad background available related to problems in
conducting research. Thus it facilitates selecting a problem and its purpose,
developing a framework and formulating a lesion plan. In brief, review of relevant
literature is an analysis and synthesis of research source to generate a picture of what
is known about a particular situation and to expose the knowledge gaps that exist in
the situation.
In the last 50 years of existence of the PDS, various studies have been
made by both officials and academicians and large volume of literature has grown
around the same. Articles have appeared in a number of journals throughout the
period examining and commencing upon the different facets of the system. Many
research projects have been undertaken on PDS in India. Important studies are
presented here.
10
Agro-Economic Research Centre, (1965) Madras, has examined the actual
working of the Fair Price Shops in the Southern Region, covering the three States of
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The study could not identify the really
poor among the consumer households since income statements were not available. It
was found that the open market prices could not be brought down by Fair Price
Shops operations as at the Fair Price Shops supplies of food grains were only
limited.
Uma and Leles (1973) in the study pointed out the significance of the relationship
between the private trading activities and the Government's food policies. It
confirmed that the grain trade in India operated efficiently within the technological
and policy confines. It concluded that if Government's policies could be made to
facilitate investment in the new storage and transport sectors and could be made to
encourage technological improvement, the traditional market structure will be able
to function economically andstill more efficiently. This study did not examine the
question of how to solve the food problem of the weaker sections under the free
market system, given the real problem of extreme economic inequality in the
society.
Ramamurthy (1974) in his study, he examined the levels of poverty and destitution
in Tamil Nadu vis-a-vis the trends in the production and distribution of wage goods
(cereals, pulses, sugar, tea and cotton) for the period 1960-61 to 1970-71.
Ramamurthy emphasized the significant role that the Public Distribution System
could play in the eradication of poverty and destitution in Tamil Nadu after
establishing that the Public Distribution System is superior to all other anti-poverty
measures.
Rajapurohit (1978) in his study, he stated the segments of the population who
consumed less than thestate average quantity of cereals were treated as the target
group. The study suggested the exchange of superior cereals like Rice and Wheat
with coarse cereals like Jowar, Ragi andBajra through open market operation and
distribution of coarse grains through the Public Distribution System.
11
AmartyaSens (1982) in his study, he concentrated on the three serious conflicts
encountered (or battlespersistently waged) by the Economically Vulnerable Sections
even during the non-famine situations. Sen remarked thus "India's so-called self-
sufficiency in food goes hand in hand with a quarter-perhaps a third of the rural
population as persistent losers in food battles, suffering from regular hunger and
systematic malnourishment.
Ittyerah and Kabra (1990) in their study, they analyzed the utilization of and
access to the PublicDistribution System in India. They found the utilization index
for rice was very low and that for sugar was very high. According to them about 80
per cent of the sample households were generally satisfied with the Public
Distribution System while 20 per cent were not.
Singh (1991) in his study, he analyzed the Public Distribution System in Bihar. He
stated a number ofserious deficiencies in the system. He prescribed a package of 27
measures to improve the working of the system. He emphasized the important
contribution of the Public Distribution System towards poverty alleviation in rural
areas.
12
Government of India (1992 1993) indicated that, the several weaknesses emerged
in the publicdistribution system which diluted the essence of the system to benefit
the vulnerable section. The financial liabilities of the state government in
maintaining this system have increased. Leakage and black marketing in PDS items
have also increased the full impact of PDS in containing inflation. Government of
India (1992 1993) reported that the PDS as a social safety net has to be understood
in the sense of this limited perspective. The perspective as announced by the
government of India is that essential commodities such as rice, wheat, imported
edible oils, sugar and kerosene are distributed at prices below the market prices
through a network of fair price shops. The government accepts this as an essential
element of governments’ safety net for the poor.
Geetha, and Suryanarayan, (1993) in their study, they have reviewed the
objectives of food policypursued in different, five year plans. They examined
interstate PDS disparities, and their implications for the current ongoing PDS
reform. Their study confirms the general impression that there have been significant
disparities in the state wise PDS quantities, be it with respect to total population or
population covered by the PDS. This is largely in conformity with the objects of
global coverage as enunciated in the sixth plan. Part of the reason seems to be the
lack of proper infrastructure for the PDS in some states and hence their inability to
lift their allotted quota, by the Centre. Thus PDS revamping is not merely a question
of targeting but also involves the creation of the necessary infrastructure.
Government of India in the tenth plan (1995) the document admits that there is
overflowing stock offood grains in the country. This means that the distribution of
food grains is not managed properly and the areas of food shortage are still unable to
receive support from the Government overflowing stocks.
13
Rao (1995) says "the persistent weaknesses observed in FCI operations are a clear
symptom of over-centralization. While efforts to tone up the personnel and working
of the corporation need to be undertaken, the more fundamental task is to reorganize
the food security system itself on a decentralized basis. In the event of such
reorganization, FCI with its specialized experience and expertise would be in a
position to play a major supporting role to help the decentralized food security
system to become operational.
Jena.A.C. [2002] in the study of “Public Distribution System Impact, status and
Future Programmes”.He argues that PDS is a still an essential requirement in India,
given that the 30% of the population is still living below the poverty line and
another 20% needs support so as not to go below the poverty line and not become
food insecure. The PDS is also required at the time of disasters and natural
calamities. In addition to this, while the country has been witnessing huge stocks of
food grains on the one hand the food security has remained a far cry for the large
number of people of the country on the other hand
14
Planning Commission (2005) concluded that the estimated 4.6 million tons of
TPDS grains purchasedby poor households – with and without BPL or AAY ration
cards corresponds to 15.5% of the total off-take of TPDS grains (29.65 million tons).
This means that for each kg of subsidized grains bought by the poor, the off-take
from theCentral pool was 6.4 kg. This estimate is considerably higher than the 2.4
kg estimate for 2003-04.
Ranjana Singh (2010) in his paper on “Impact of the Public Distribution System on
Poverty and FoodSecurity” opined that there is need to shift from the exiting
expensive inefficient and corruption ridden institutional arrangements to those that
will ensure cheap delivery of requisite quality grains in a transparent manner and are
self-targeting.
Chandra Kant Singh and Rakesh Kumar Singh (2010) in the study of “Role of
Public DistributionSystem in Food Security” observed that there is need to amend
law to ban controls and restrictions on trade between states. There should be free
movement of all kinds of commodities including agricultural produce.
RatanLalBasu (2011) in the study of “Public Distribution System in India and Food
Security” observedthat the basic causes of food security in India lie not in supply
failure but in declining income and employment intheunorganized sector and failure
of the TPDS that excludes a large segment of the poor because of definitions and
methods of implementation. So far as policy of introducing the TPDS is concerned,
it may be said that the policy as such is not unsound but the real problem lies in the
way it is implemented.
15
Anju Singh, Kalanand Singh and Asha Dubey (2011) in their study on
“Management of PublicDistribution System in India – An Arrangement for Food
Security” observed that 70 Per cent of people living in village’s and40 Per cent of
landless labourers, beside this 20 crores of the poor people are rural agricultural
labourers. Food problems can be solved by the integration of the PDS with other
anti-poverty programme like Antyodaya and other programmes. The public
distribution system is a vital programme to ensure distributive justice to the weaker
sections of the community. Lastly, it maybe quote the line of Mother Theresa, “if we
have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”.
16
CHAPTER 3
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
17
PDS: Concept and Definition
1. In the narrow sense, PDS is identified with fair price shops. According to Dholakia
and Khurana, PDS is “a retailing system supervised and guided by the state”.
2. Progress Evaluation Organisation (Government of India 1985) defined as “a setup
under which specified commodities of everyday use are procured and made
available to consumers through a network of FPS in urban as well as in rural areas”.
3. Procurement of cereals is undertaken by FCI on behalf of central government. Some
state government agencies also procure grain for the central pool as well as for their
own account. Allocation to definite state is made by the central government. The
state level civil supply organisations undertake the responsibility of allotment to FPS
and supervising the functioning of FPS. FPS is subject to government control. FPS’s
are not allowed to sell other than government supplied essential commodities.
Specified quantities are allotted to each FPS depending upon the number of ration
cards attached to the FPS. The prices of these commodities are fixed by the
government. The FPS dealer has to procure a license to operate ration shop and
required to maintain proper records, accounting to the stocks lifted by the dealer.
18
Features of PDS
3. The working of PDS did not in any way hinder the functioning of the free market
mechanism except in the limited statutory rationing areas but works along with it.
4 . The required amount of food grains and other items are obtained by the
government through imports and a buffer stock is maintained with a view to meet
scarcity situations.
6. It is been primarily an urban oriented system. Its genesis as well as growth has
been in those sensitive areas where a shortage of food grains and other essential
commodities could become political liabilities of government.
19
Goals of PDS
The goal of PDS does not restrict itself with the distribution of Rationed articles.
Making available adequate quantities of essential articles at all times, in places
accessible to all, at prices affordable to all and protection of the weaker section of
the population from the vicious spiral of rising prices is the broad spectrum of PDS.
More specifically, the goals of PDS are:
20
Evolution of Public Distribution System
The PDS, as it is known in India, has evolved over a long time. Famines and
droughts causing acute scarcity conditions and the measures taken by the
government to help the victims has been the typical way in which the food security
system began to take shape. Thus, the measures have been in the nature of the fire-
fighting operation “concerned only with putting out the flames and providing a
modest measure of temporary relief to the affected population. An effort of this sort
was taken up for the first time in 1939 under the British regime when the Second
World War started. The government thought of distributing the food grains to the
poor of some selected cities, which were facing severe scarcity conditions, and also
situations – where private, failed to provide commodities affordable by the poor.
Later in 1943, after the great Bengal famine, this distribution system was extended
to some more cities and towns. Prolonged periods of economic stress and disruption
like wars and famines gave rise to a form of food security system. Initially it
concerned itself primarily with management of scarce food supplies, and
subsequently found it necessary to use a more organized and institutionalized
approach including measures suspending normal activities of market and trade. This
form of providing food security existed in India for long years, in the shape of
statutory rationing in selected urban areas and continues to be present even today in
few urban centers. The growth of PDS in India can be grouped into three time
periods.
These are i) from 1939 to 1965 (ii) from 1965 to 1975 and (iii) from
1975 onwards. In the first period, i.e. up to mid-sixties, the PDS was seen as a mere
rationing system to distribute the scarce commodities and later it was seen as a Fair
Price System in comparison with the private trade. Rice and Wheat occupied a very
high share in the food grains distribution. Need for extending the PDS to rural areas
was realized but not implemented. The operation of PDS was irregular and
dependent on imports of PL480 food grains with little internal procurement. In
effect, imports constituted major proportion in the supplies for PDS during this
period. Procurement price offered were not remunerative. By the mid 60’s it was
decided to look much beyond management of scarce supplies in critical situations.
Stoppage of PL480 imports forced the government to procure grains internally. In
21
effect, India took a quantum leap in the direction of providing a more sustainable
institutional frame work for providing food security.
Till late 70’s the PDS was largely confined to urban population and did not
guarantee adequate food to the rural poor in times of crises. During the late 1970’s,
22
and early 80’s some state governments extended the coverage of PDS to rural areas
and also introduced the target grouping approach. The states are Kerala Gujarat
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This was also because there was a marked change
in the food situation particularly in the later years, during 80’s and early 90’s. thus
the net availability of food grains which had increased from 74 million tons in 1968
to 99 million tones in1977, witnessed a rapid rise in later years reaching 158 million
tons in 1991(government of india1994). Thus while the PDS was started initially to
meet the crisis situation, by the sixth five year plan, the PDS was viewed “as an
instrument for efficient management of essential consumer goods” necessary for”
maintaining stable price consideration”.
The evolution of the PDS in the country also corresponded with the planning for
PDS and the changes in the perspectives of plans over a period of time.
From the beginning of first five tear plan 1951- 56 the need for PDS on a regular
basis for the country to provide help to the poor and to some extend for generating
downward pressure on crisis has been emphasized.
In the fourth five year plan 1969-74 the initial emphasis on buffer stock
maintenance and price stabilization was shifted to increase PDS supplies.
By fifth five year plan 1974-79 a major role for PDS was envisaged in
ensuring supplies of essential goods of mass consumption to people at reasonable
particularly to the weaker sections of the society.
During sixth five year plan 1980-85 PDS was expected to develop such
that it remains here after a stable and permanent feature of the strategy to control
price s, reduce fluctuations and achieve equitable distribution of essential consumer
goods.
23
Seventh plan 1985-90 has specified that the PDS will be a permanent
feature of the strategy to control prices, reduce fluctuations and achieve equitable
distribution of essential consumer goods.
During eighth five year plan 1990-95 the supply of food grains through
PDS were increased by extending the coverage to more rural areas and use of food
grains for employment generation programmes, 14 like national rural employment
programme (NREP) and rural landless employment generating programmes
(RLEG). Subsequently these programmes were modified and combined into jawahar
rozgar yojana (JRY). The introduction of providing food security through generation
of employment and linking it to programmes of poverty alleviation has added yet
another dimensions to the policies.
The food grains provided to beneficiaries under TPDS are procured from farmers at
MSP. The MSP is the price at which the FCI purchases the crop directly from
farmers; typically the MSP is higher than the market price. This is intended to
provide price support to farmers and incentive production. Currently procurement is
carried out in two ways: (i) centralized procurement, and (ii) decentralized
procurement. Centralized procurement is carried out by the FCI, where FCI buys
crops directly from farmers. Decentralized procurement is a central scheme under
which 10 states/Union Territories (UTs) procure food grains for the central pool at
MSP on behalf of FCI. The scheme was launched to encourage local procurement of
food grains and minimize expenditure incurred when transporting grains from
surplus todeficit states over long distances. These states directly store and distribute
the grains to beneficiaries in the state. Any surplus stock over the state’s requirement
must be handed over to FCI. In case of a shortfall in procurement against an
allocation made by the Centre, FCI meets the deficit out of the central pool.
The Centre procures and stores food grains to: (i) meet the prescribed minimum
buffer stock norms for food security, (ii) release food grains under TPDS on a
monthly basis, (iii) meet emergency situations arising out of unexpected crop
failures, natural disasters, etc., and (iv) sell through the Open Market Sale Scheme
24
(OMSS).10 The central government introduced the Open Market Sale Scheme
(OMSS) in 1993, to sell food grains in the open market; this was intended to
augment the supply of grains to moderate or stabilize open market prices.
Apart from the food grains requirement for immediate distribution under TPDS, the
central government maintains minimum buffer reserves of food stocks for
emergencies. The food grains procured for TPDS and other contingencies are
maintained and stored as the central pool stock. FCI is the main government agency
entrusted with the storage of food grains in the central pool. According to the
storage guidelines of the FCI, food grains are normally stored in covered god owns,
silos, and in the open, referred to as Covered and Plinth (CAP).11 However, FCI‟s
own storage capacity has been insufficient to accommodate the central pool stock of
food grains. As a result, FCI hires space from various agencies such as the central
and state warehousing corporations, state government agencies and private parties.
In an evaluation of the storage management of food grains by FCI, the Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG) noted that there is sub-optimum utilisation of the
existing storage capacity available with FCI and states.10 CAP storage involves
storage on elevated plinths with polythene covers specially made for this distribution
to BPL, AA.Y and APL families.
Allocation for BPL and AAY families is done on the basis of the number of
identified households. On the other hand, allocation for APL families is made on the
basis of: (i) the availability of food grains stocks in the central pool, and (ii) the past
off take (lifting) of food grains by a state from the central pool. Given the food
grains stocks in FCI, the Centre has the discretion to allocate more grains to states
on an ad-hoc basis. In the past, ad-hoc allocate the central government allocates food
grains from the central pool to the state governments for ones have been provided in
the event of floods, droughts, and festivals, etc.
25
Distribution of food grains to beneficiaries
The responsibility of distributing food grains is shared between the Centre and
states. The Centre, specifically FCI, is responsible for the inter-state transport of
food grains from procuring to consuming states, as well as delivering grains to the
state god owns. Once FCI transports grains to the state depots, distribution of food
grains to end consumers is the responsibility of state governments. Distribution of
food grains is as complex as the policy of procurement. It involves the following
decisions.
3. What should be the distribution agency at the retail level and the allocation agency
at the retail level and the allocation agency at the different regional levels?
The fixation of the total quota to be supplied to each states is determined by the
Central Government, keeping in view the production of food grains in the state and
the off – take in the previous months, prices for the consumer are determined by
taking into consideration, marketing costs, open market prices fiscal burden and the
paying capacity of the consumer.
26
Coverage of PDS in India
Since the mid 1980’s the coverage of PDS were extended to rural areas in some
states. Thus it acquired the status of welfare programme. An effort was made to
extend subsidized food grains in 1985 in all the tribal blocks covering about 57
million persons. The revamped PDS has been later expanded to cover 1752 blocks
with a high incidence of poverty covering 164 million persons.
27
I. Installation of EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) machine
The Government of India has directed the citizens to link the Adhaarcard with
variousvital documents such as Ration card, Bank account details, PAN card, Voter
ID card and Mobile number. It has been made mandatory to ensure that the benefits
from all the Government schemes reach the people.
Ration cards are the legal identity proof, used by many households to get the
food grains and fuel at a subsidized rate. The main objective is to avoid the issuance
of duplicate and multiple identities by digitizing it and also to streamline the benefits
attached to it.
28
Documents required for linking Aadhar to ration card
A ration card is a Government of India issued document which acts as a proof for
citizen’s identity and residential address, and allows Indians to access subsidized
food and basic utility products. As an identity proof documents, it can be used to
procure other essential documents such as Driving license, Aadhar card and
Passport. It can be also used as a proof of residential address for the same.
However, the most important function of the Indian ration card is its ability to
help economically disadvantaged Indians to avail cheap essential products such as
rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene. It allows these individuals to access basic daily
needs through the public distribution system.
There are four types of new ration cards that are recognized by the
Government of India for easy identification. These cards are colour coded and offer
varying levels of benefits. They are,
1. The White or Honorary Ration card
2. The Blue Ration card
3. The Pink Ration card
4. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana card
29
A brief explanation of these cards are given below.
This card is issued to households living below the poverty line. This card allows
maximum benefits to the households.
This card is issued to poorest families and those who do not have a stable source of
income and whose monthly income less than Rs.250. They can access highly
subsidized commodities, including 35 kg of rice at Rs.3 per kg.
Blue card Above poverty line 2kg Rice at Rs. 2 per person.
30
IV. Launching of Ration card portability
This is the another change introduced in PDS. Through the new feature of
portability, the card holders are now be able to get commodities from any of the fair
price shop within a particular district in the state.
Right now it is a need based scheme where the card holders can use the
facility until he/she get a new card issued in the new residential location after all the
administrative delays. The main benefits of introducing ration card portability
scheme are as follows.
31
CHAPTER 4
32
CONSUMER PERCEPTION TOWARDS THE CHANGES INTRODUCED IN
RATION SHOP
The result of the survey conducted as a part of the research study has been
presented and analyzed in this chapter. Analysis of data is most skilled task in the
research process. Analysis of data means studying the tabulated material in order to
determine inherent facts or meanings. In other words analysis means the
computation of certain indices or measure or coefficient alone with searching for
pattern of relationship that exists among data group.
Here the researcher used different tools in order to analyze the collected
data. It consist of,
Frequency analysis
Ranking
Independent t test
ANOVA
Correlation
33
Classification of respondents on the basis of Gender
Male 52 52.0
Female 48 48.0
Total 100 100.0
CHART No.4.1
Frequencies of Respondents with regard to gender
120
100
80
60 Frequency
Percentage
40
20
0
Male Female Total
Interpretation: Table 4.1 deals with the gender of the selected consumers of PDS.
It reveals that out of 100 total respondents, 52 respondents (52.0 percent) were male
and the remaining 48 respondents (48.0) were female. Hence majority of the
selected consumers of PDS were male.
34
Age profile of respondents
Below 30 39 39.0
Between 30-40 11 11.0
Between 40-50 17 17.0
Above 50 33 33.0
Total 100 100.0
120
100
80
60
40
Frequency
20
Percentage
0
Below 30 Between 30- Between 40- Above 50 Total
40 50
Interpretation: Table 4.2 deals with the age of the selected consumers of PDS. The
result identified that out of 100 total respondents,39 respondents (39.0 percent)
belong to the age category of less than 30 years, 11 respondents (11.0 percent)
belong to the age category of 30-40 years, 17 respondents (17.0 percent) belong to
the age category of 40-50 years and the remaining 33 respondents (33.0 percent)
belong to the age category of above 50 years. Hence most of the selected consumers
of PDS belong to the age category of below 30 years.
35
Classification of respondents on the basis of marital status
Single 29 29.0
Married 53 53.0
Widow 13 13.0
Seperated 5 5.0
Total 100 100.0
Single
Married
Widow
Seperated
Total
36
Respondents classification on the basis of educational qualification
TABLE No. 4.4
Frequencies of respondents with regard to educational qualification
Illiterate 28 28.0
Up to 10th 37 37.0
Plus two 11 11.0
UG/PG 21 21.0
Others 3 3.0
Total 100 100.0
100
80
60 Frequencies
Percentage
40
20
0
Illiterate Up to 10th Plus two UG/PG Others Total
Interpretation: Table No. 4.4 shows that 28% of the respondents are illiterate, 37%
are up to 10th, 11% are plus two, 21% are UG/PG and 3% are above the qualification
of post graduate.
37
Classification of respondents on the basis of occupation
38
Classification of respondents on the basis of category of PDS consumers
Interpretation: Table No. 4.6 deals with category of PDS consumers. Which
shows that 26% of the PDS consumers are APL category, 47% are BPL category,
21% are AAY category and 6% are non priority category. Hence it is concluded that
majority of consumers are included in BPL category.
39
Classification of respondents on the basis of average income in the last
financial year
100
50
Frequencies
0 Percentage
Less than
10000 Between
Total
10000-50000
40
TABLE No. 4.8
Table showing ranking of awareness towards the functioning of PDS
41
Interpretation: The table no. 4.9 shows the familiarity of consumers towards the
changes introduced in ration shop. In this table it is clear that consumers mostly
familiar with installation of EPOS machine(2.9300), and leastly familiar with colour
coded ration card scheme introduced in ration shop(2.4200).
TABLE No.4.10
Table showing ranking of source of information required about the changes
introduced in ration shop
Interpretation: Table no. 4.10 deals with source of information required about the
changes introduced in ration shop. In this table it is clear that the consumers mostly
get information from news paper advertisement(4.9300), and get information from
notice board is too low.
42
Interpretation: Table No. 4.11 deals with the satisfaction of consumers regarding
the changes introduced in ration shop. In this table it is clear that consumers are
highly satisfied with the ration card portability scheme(4.8400), and consumers
satisfaction is rare in case of linking Aadhar with ration card(3.9100).
43
TABLE No. 4.13
44
Interpretation: The above table no.4.14 deals with the benefit associated with the
changes in PDS. It shows that the important benefit of the changes introduced in
ration shop is commodities can purchase from nearest ration shop(4.8800) and less
important benefit is only card holders can obtain ration quota(4.4300).
Interpretation: The table no.4.15 deals with the problems of new changes
introduced in PDS. It shows that the major problem of the changes in PDS is it
divert people to buy commodities from ration shop into grocery store(3.6700) and as
per the opinion of consumers time consuming is not a big problem(1.5600).
45
TABLE No. 4.16
Table showing ranking of need for improvement in the changes introduced
in PDS
Interpretation: The table no.4.16 shows the need for improvement in the changes
introduced in PDS. It is clear that consumers mostly need more quality
server(4.6700) and there is less need to find a new way instead of scanning
fingerprint(4.0200).
46
TESTING OF HYPOTHESIS
Correlation Analysis
Totalchanges Totalproblems
Totalchanges Pearson Correlation 1 .387
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
Totalproblems Pearson Correlation .387** 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
47
One way ANOVA test
Ho: There is no significant difference between education of the consumers and
perception of the consumers towards the changes in PDS.
48
Correlation Analysis
Ho: There is no significant relationship between the benefit associated with the
changes in PDS and satisfaction of consumers regarding the changes.
Totalbenefit Totalsatsfaction
Totalbenefit Pearson Correlation 1 .401
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
Totalsatsfaction Pearson Correlation .401** 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
49
Correlation Analysis
Ho: There is no significant relationship between the factors that influence the
changes in PDS and benefit associated with the changes.
Totalfactor Totalbenefit
Totalfactor Pearson Correlation 1 .628
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
**
Totalbenefit Pearson Correlation .628 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .000
N 100 100
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
50
Independent T test
Ho: There is no significant difference between gender and problems of changes
introduced in ration shop.
Group Statistics
51
CHAPTER 5
FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION
52
FINDINGS
53
SUGGESTIONS
The following recommendations are arrived from the opinion of the consumers
of ration shops in Tirur Municipality.
Level of awareness towards the functioning of PDS among the respondents is almost
same. Inorder to increase their awareness it is better to conduct meetings related
with PDS in regular intervals as it is possible.
All consumers are not familiar with all new changes introduced in ration shop. So it
is necessary to make familiar each and every consumers with the new schemes.
The respondents get information on recent changes in the shop is mainly through
news paper advertisement. But most of the time it is not practical. So it is better to
ensure information availability on notice board of the ration shop and making
telephone calls.
Level of satisfaction regarding the changes introduced in PDS is not same for all. It
is better to establish a high quality server for a speedy internet and find a new way
instead of scanning fingerprint.
Time consuming is the main problem faced by the consumers. It can be reduced by
installing more than one EPOS machine in each ration shop.
54
CONCLUSION
55
BIBLIOGRAPHY
56
REFERENCES
1. Agro-Economic Research Centre, (1965) Madras, The actual working of the Fair
Price Shops in the Southern Region, covering the three States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala
and Andhra Pradesh.
2. Uma and Leles (1973) , The significance of the relationship between the private
trading activities and the Government's food policies.
3. Ramamurthy (1974) , The levels of poverty and destitution in Tamil Nadu vis-a-vis
the trends in the production and distribution of wage goods (cereals, pulses, sugar,
tea and cotton) for the period 1960-61 to 1970-71.
5. Ittyerah and Kabra (1990), The utilization of and access to the Public Distribution
System in India
.
6. Geetha, and Suryanarayan, (1993), The objectives of food policy pursued in
different, five year plans.
9. Ranjana Singh (2010), “Impact of the Public Distribution System on Poverty and
Food Security”
10. Anju Singh, Kalanand Singh and Asha Dubey (2011) ,“Management of Public
Distribution System in India – An Arrangement for Food Security”
57
BOOKS
Bapna S.L. “Food security through the PDS: The Indian Experience”, In Tyagi.
WEBSITES
www.shodhgangainflipnet.nic.in
www.scribd.com
www.wikipedia.com
58
ANNEXURE
59
QUESTIONNAIRE
60
8. Average income in the last financial year :
(a) Less than 10000
(b) Between 10000 – 50000
(c) Between 50000 – 100000
(d) Above 100000
9. If yes, make your level of awareness towards the functioning of PDS in your
residential area. (VH= Very High, H= High, A= Average, L= Low, VL= Very
Low)
Sl.No Statement VH H A L VL
9.1 Have fair price shop in my village.
9.2 Fair price shop in my village are functioning for a
number of years.
9.3 I know the availability of ration items in the shop at
the right time.
9.4 I get correct information about availability, quantity,
and price of ration items in the shop.
9.5 Matters related with PDS is discussed in municipality
meetings.
10. Are you familiar with the new changes introduced in PDS?
(HF=Highly Familiar, NF=Not Familiar, PF=Partially Familiar)
61
11. From where did you get the information about the changes in PDS?
(VH= Very High, H= High, A= Average, L= Low, VL= Very Low)
13. What is your level of perception towards the change? (SA=Strongly Agee,
A=Agree, N=Neutral, DA=DisAgree, SD=Strongly Disagree)
62
Sl.No Level of perception SA A N DA SD
13.1 This new system is better than earlier.
13.2 It has a bad effect on card holders
when the fingerprint is not match.
13.3 Through this change Govt. aims at the
welfare of consumers who depends
upon PDS.
13.4 New changes helps to reduce the
limitations of ration shop.
14. What are the main factors that influence the changes in PDS? (SA=Strongly
Agee, A=Agree, N=Neutral, DA=DisAgree, SD=Strongly Disagree)
Sl.No Factors SA A N DA SD
14.1 Food security
14.2 To get commodities to the genuine consumers
14.3 To prevent diversion of PDS stocks
14.4 To make PDS error free and corruption free
14.5 To utilize all ration shop by all consumers with in
the district.
15. If yes, what are the main benefits associated with the changes in PDS?
(SA=Strongly Agee, A=Agree, N=Neutral, DA=DisAgree, SD=Strongly Disagree)
63
Sl.No Benefits SA A N DA SD
15.1 It ensure transparent function of
PDS.
15.2 It does not promote black marketing.
15.3 Commodities can purchase from
nearest ration shop.
15.4 Consumers get fairly priced bills on
their purchase.
15.5 Only card holders can obtain ration
quota.
15.6 Priority categories of card holders
get many other benefits from Govt.
15.7 Ration dealers supply all items
prescribed by Govt.
16. Below are the various problems of new changes introduced in ration shop. Rate it as
your experience.(SA=Strongly Agee, A=Agree, N=Neutral, DA=Dis Agree,
SD=Strongly Disagree)
Sl.No Problems SA A N DA SD
16.1 Server down.
16.2 Consumers are not interested to change
into a new technology.
16.3 Inorder to buy ration articles consumers
should directly approach the ration shop.
16.4 Time consuming.
16.5 In certain circumstances the fingerprint
of the consumer does not match with the
machine.
16.6 It divert people to buy commodities from
ration shop into grocery store.
64
17. Evaluate the following factors in relation to functioning of PDS based on the
need for improvement.(SA=Strongly Agee, A=Agree, N=Neutral, DA=Dis
Agree, S=Strongly Disagree)
Sl.No Factors SA A N DA SD
17.1 Need more quality server.
17.2 Find a new way instead of scanning
fingerprint.
17.3 Increase the awareness level of consumers.
17.4 Uptodate information should be published
in the notice board.
Suggestions
65