A Case for Universal PDS: Tamil Nadu’s Experience

Abstract

This paper appraises the performance and outreach of public distribution system (PDS) of Tamil Nadu in comparison with the Country both in the rural and urban areas using the recent rounds of NSSO data. The results suggest that the reach of PDS in Tamil Nadu is far better than all India, especially in the lower income group. The quantity of cereal consumption from PDS is much higher than that of All India. In Tamil Nadu the reach in rural is better than that of urban areas.