Community Monitoring Of PDS
The Predicament
A fair price is a reasonable price acceptable to both the buyer and the seller, often one that reflects the current market value.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs are the global goals adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 as a universal call to action to eliminate poverty and preserve the planet. One of the core focuses of the SDGs is to “end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture”. The expected time of realization for SDGs is set to 2030.
What are the measures undertaken by the Indian government for SDG realization?
With its 2013 National Food Security Act (NFSA), India had already set the ball rolling. Under the NFSA falls the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) that expanded the coverage to 67% of the population, from 44%. The Public Distribution System established by the Government of India provides subsidized essential commodities, both food and non-food, to identified beneficiaries in rural and urban areas across the country. The States are responsible for determining the beneficiaries and distribution of essential commodities – done via government-sponsored shops known as Fair Price Shops (FPS) located in every urban, semi-urban and rural areas across India.
Disclosure From The Study Project
The implementation of this study project has brought out some interesting insights. The Citizen Monitoring and Action Teams (CMATs) in 6 FPSs for each project district are formed, trained and put into practice the monitoring process successfully. The result of the study and recommendations were submitted to the government for implementation. The discoveries from the study project are:
- Gram Sabhas are an effective platform for community members to share their pain points pertaining to their entitlements vis-à-vis the Public Distribution System.
- When engaged and empowered as Citizen Monitors and armed with actionable knowledge, community members can be formidable agents of change on the ground.
- These empowered Citizen Monitors could engage with district officials and ensure action on discrepancies noted in the PDS process.
Be a part of the beacon that brings hope.
To develop as a nation, we need to raise the standard of living for all the people in our country. Food and basic live supplies should not be made as a luxury but as privileges. Despite government measures like FPS, ignorance and corruption stops us from our pursuit. So let us stop what has been preventing us from achieving over SDG aspirations. Our awareness program is intended to educate and empower the people not to be denied their rights or provision. Volunteer and be a part of this important mission to help our people and country from corruption, ignorance and reach the global Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
About Us
S E V A K stands for Society for Empowerment through Voluntary Action in Karnataka. S E V A K was founded in the year 2009 as a registered society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960 in Belgaum district, Belgaum.
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