As the spat between the Centre and the Bihar Government over implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and provision of subsidised food grains to the beneficiaries continues, a recently conducted survey has shown that improvements have been made in Bihar during the past few years and the complaints of leakages have drastically come down. The sample survey was made in 1,000 households in four districts — Gaya, Banka, Purnia and Sitamarhi.
Briefing about the findings here on Friday, Jean Dreze, a visiting professor of Ranchi University, Reetika Khera, associate professor at IIT Delhi and Jessica Pudussery, survey coordinator said there have been improvement in PDS in Bihar in the last four - five years and majority of the beneficiaries have been brought under its ambit and even the quality of food grain has improved.
"Bihar is one of the pioneers of the National Food Security Act. It tried to implement the Act earlier than most other States. This is a major challenge. Bihar used to have the worst PDS in India, with the bulk of PDS rice and wheat being diverted to the black market. We tried to find out that one year after the NFSA came into force in Bihar, what is the situation on the groundIJ While claims and counter-claims are being made by political parties, a recent survey of 1,000 rural households sheds new light on this question," said Dreze.
For the delivery of the subsidised wheat and rice to each individual beneficiary, their identification has been made through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census. This list is more authentic than the previous BPl list and it has been found that only three per cent surveyed families are still deprived of this facility, said Khera. She added that among the eligible families, 16 per cent have still not been provided new ration card.
The survey recorded that despite decline in the leakages, corruption was still prevalent in the PDS and the dealers are charging more than the fixed price. The report urged the Government to take some
positive steps to make PDS dealers more responsible and may consider reintroducing coupon system. It also recommended that self-help groups, cooperatives and gram panchayats be given the responsibility of running PDS shops.