Question

What specific component of Kerala's social welfare system is mentioned for its extensive network related to public food distribution?

• A. A. Public healthcare clinics
• B. B. Fair-price shops
• C. C. Government schools
• D. D. Public transportation hubs

Answer 1

Answer:

B. B. Fair-price shops

Fair-Price Shops and Kerala's Public Distribution System

• Fair-price shops, commonly known as ration shops, form the backbone of Kerala's extensive public food distribution network.
• They are an integral part of the Public Distribution System (PDS), a crucial component of the 'Kerala Model of Development'.
• The PDS in Kerala is renowned for its universal coverage, ensuring food security for a large segment of the population, regardless of income status.
• Kerala's PDS provides essential commodities like rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene, and sometimes pulses and edible oils at subsidized prices to eligible cardholders.
• The state boasts one of the most efficient and widespread PDS networks in India, contributing significantly to its low rates of malnutrition and high human development indicators.
• Key Facts for Competitive Exams:
  • The PDS operates under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, which aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices.
  • Kerala implemented the NFSA with some unique features, maintaining its universal character to a large extent.
  • The system is often lauded as a prime example of effective social welfare intervention and poverty alleviation.
  • The high literacy rate and strong grassroots democratic institutions in Kerala are often cited as factors contributing to the effectiveness and transparency of the PDS.
  • The state government often supplements central government allocations to ensure better access and quantity of food grains.