Universal PDS already provides food security in Tamil Nadu

Rs 4,900 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates 2013-2014 for food subsidy

The National Food Security Bill has been generating much excitement across the country but not in Tamil Nadu, since the state has a more comprehensive model in the form of a Universal Public Distribution System (PDS). Irrespective of any government, coverage of the PDS has been universal.

A state government official said at a time when the state is facing a drought, the dependence of people on PDS has become higher, as is evident in the offtake of rice across the state. While on an average, 82 per cent of the monthly allocation is being used by rice card holders, some districts have reported 90 to 95 per cent utilisation of their allocation.

The PDS in Tamil Nadu is a success story, in its coverage and pricing. The state government is implementing the system and no exclusion is made based on income criteria. The present system became effective from June 1, 2011.

According to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation 1,97,82,593 people are being benefited through the system and it is being implemented through 33,222 fair price shops functioning under various agencies in the state.

These fair price shops distribute 2,96,453 tonnes of rice, 34,890 tonnes of wheat and 65,140 kilo litres of kerosene every month.

"In order to ensure food availability to all and thereby, to eradicate hunger from the state, the government is providing free rice to all rice card holders from June 2011 onwards. This government is also supplying tur dal, urad dal and palm oil at subsidised prices under the special PDS so as to insulate the poor from the increasing prices of essential commodities," said O Pannerselvam, finance minster.

A sum of Rs 4,900 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates of 2013-2014 for the food subsidy.

Towards achieving food security, the 12th Plan (2012-17) objectives in Tamil Nadu are twofold, according to officials: elimination of hunger and stabilisation of food prices and fortification of cereals in the PDS. The strategies are Universal PDS, distributing essential commodities at a subsidised rate and a price stabilisation fund for procurement of essential commodities.

Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation procures rice and other essential commodities required for the PDS from Food Corporation of India and through tenders. Distribution of commodities through fair price shops is being carried out by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and cooperative societies.

Earlier, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had said the Bill, if enacted, would slash Tamil Nadu's foodgrain entitlement by as high as 25 per cent. She also urged the Centre not to thrust or force several features of the NFSB on states.

While Tamil Nadu is now allocated 296,000 tonnes of foodgrain a month by the Centre, features of the NFSB, which wants the states to move over to a Targeted Public Distribution System, will cut the foodgrain entitlement to 224,000 tonnes.