Context

• The right to food, a cornerstone of human dignity and survival, has been enshrined as a fundamental right in India for over two decades.
• However, recent reports from Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar reveal a troubling reality: the Public Distribution System (PDS), designed to ensure food security, has not been able to protect the most vulnerable.
• Bureaucratic inefficiencies, systemic corruption, and social inequities have created barriers that deprive marginalized communities of their basic entitlement to sustenance.

A Detailed Examination of the Exclusion Crisis:

• Scale of Exclusion
  • In states like Jharkhand and Odisha, substantial numbers of households have been removed from the PDS rolls, often without clear justification or due process.
  • This phenomenon extends to Bihar, where the plight of the Musahar community exemplifies the devastating impact of such exclusion.
  • The Musahars, among the most marginalized castes in India, have historically been relegated to the fringes of society.
• The Impact of Biometric Verification
  • The introduction of biometric verification at fair price shops (FPS) was intended to enhance efficiency and reduce fraud in the PDS.
  • However, in practice, it has become a tool of exclusion. Many beneficiaries, particularly in rural and marginalised communities, have lost access to rations because their biometric details could not be authenticated.
  • This is often due to technical errors, lack of proper infrastructure, or discrepancies in their Aadhaar details.
  • When names are struck off the PDS rolls as a result, individuals must reapply for a new ration card, a process fraught with bureaucratic hurdles.
• Disconnected Governance
  • The exclusion crisis is emblematic of a broader disconnect between policymaking and the realities of marginalized populations.
  • While the government promotes ambitious initiatives such as ‘smart cities,’ it has failed to address the basic needs of those most reliant on state welfare.
  • This disparity highlights a troubling prioritisation of urban development and technological advancement over the welfare of rural and underprivileged communities.

The Example of the Musahar Community

• Bihar was blighted by a supply crisis, when rations were needed the most, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Since then, there are communities which continue to be in want of a stable supply of ration.
• This is more notable among extremely marginalised communities such as the Musahars.
• This is a community that has been pushed beyond the edge of destitution by the socio-politics of caste.
• Its struggle with the PDS emerges as a significant symptom of the same.
• A number of Musahar households in Patna district do not have an active ration card.
• Even if they do have one, there is another problem, the card does not have the names of all the family members.

Some Other Problematic Issues with PDS

• Corruption and Mismanagement in PDS
  • Beneficiaries entitled to five kilograms of food grain per person under the Priority Household (PHH) ration card often receive only four kilograms, and this is typically substandard rice.
  • Wheat, a staple for many, is often not issued at all.
  • Such practices reveal a pervasive culture of exploitation and mismanagement that deprives vulnerable families of their rightful entitlements.
• Legal and Administrative Barriers
  • The enrolment process for ration cards exemplifies how bureaucratic red tape hinders access to food.
  • In Bihar, applicants must submit Aadhaar details, caste certificates, income certificates, and residence proofs, despite no legal basis for these requirements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 or the PDS Control Order of 2015.
  • Officials often cite these demands as oversights in the digitised system, yet they persist, further alienating the marginalized.
  • Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh impose similar documentation demands, reflecting a broader failure to align governance with citizen welfare.
  • The push for digitisation and e-governance, while laudable in theory, has prioritised technology over accessibility, leaving those without digital literacy or resources at a severe disadvantage.

The Consequence of Exclusion: Exploitation of Vulnerability

• The systemic inefficiencies of the PDS have spawned a market of exploitation, particularly targeting marginalized communities like the Musahars.
• Middlemen charge exorbitant fees, sometimes exceeding ₹3,000, for processing ration card applications.
• Often, these middlemen disappear after receiving payment, leaving applicants without documents or recourse.
• Even when applications are submitted, delays are rampant. While the 2015 order mandates the issuance of ration cards within 30 days, many applications remain pending for months, even years.
• This delay denies families access to the basic means of subsistence, turning food security from a fundamental right into an elusive privilege.

Necessary Policy Reform to Address these Systematic Issues

• Simplification of Enrolment Procedures
  • The complexities of the PDS enrolment process disproportionately impact marginalised communities.
  • Currently, applicants are often required to provide multiple documents, including caste certificates, income certificates, and residence proofs, despite no legal basis for these demands under the NFSA or the PDS Control Order of 2015.
  • These requirements must be eliminated to simplify the process and align it with legal frameworks.
  • Reforms should focus on a single-window system for applications, where minimal documentation is required, and applicants receive clear guidance on the process.
• Strengthening Accountability and Reducing Corruption
  • Corruption within the PDS erodes trust and deprives beneficiaries of their rightful entitlements.
  • Instances where FPS dealers reduce the quantity or quality of grains distributed must be addressed through stricter oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
  • The government must establish independent monitoring bodies to audit the distribution process and ensure adherence to norms.
  • Whistleblower protection and grievance redressal mechanisms should be strengthened, empowering beneficiaries to report malpractices without fear of reprisal.
• Empowering Communities through Local Governance
  • Decentralisation of the PDS can enhance its responsiveness and accountability.
  • Empowering local governance bodies, such as Panchayats, to oversee distribution and address grievances can improve system efficiency.
  • These bodies can also play a role in identifying eligible beneficiaries, ensuring that no one is excluded due to bureaucratic oversights.

Conclusion

• The right to food, affirmed in the landmark case People’s Union of Civil Liberties vs. Union of India in 2001, remains a hollow promise for millions.
• Bureaucratic inefficiency and indifference have suffocated this fundamental right, leaving marginalized communities to bear the brunt of systemic failure.
• Addressing these issues is not merely a matter of governance; it is a moral imperative to uphold the dignity and survival of the most vulnerable.
• The journey towards food security in India requires more than policy; it demands a commitment to equity, accountability, and the fundamental principle that no one should go hungry in a nation striving for progress.