Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System: 1. The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State/Union Territories. 2. Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments. 3. Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries. 4. Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc.

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/UT Governments. The Central Government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), handles the procurement, storage, and transportation of food grains to designated depots in each State [3]. The State Governments are then responsible for the operational aspects, including the distribution of food grains within the State and the identification of eligible beneficiaries. While the Centre sets the criteria under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the actual identification of households is the sole responsibility of the States [2]. Furthermore, while the Centre primarily provides wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene, several States distribute additional mass consumption items like pulses, edible oils, and iodized salt through PDS outlets to enhance nutritional security [1]. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect as identification is a State responsibility.

Sources

1. [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FOOD MANAGEMENT > p. 333
2. [2] Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Food Security in India > The National Food Security Act, 2013 > p. 49
3. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 9: Subsidies > 9.5.2 Public Distribution System (PDS) > p. 294