Journal of Business Law and Ethics

Targeted Public Distribution System in Food Grains: An Effective Method for the Tribal’s of Rural Karnataka (India)
A Mahendran

Abstract
Targeted PDS is a part of structural adjustment programme in Government of India, which was introduced in 1997. PDS is a rationing mechanism that entitles households to specified quantities of selected commodities at affordable prices to BPL and APL families. According to world health organisation’s survey report stated that in Karnataka state, incidence of anaemia is high, 70 percent children are suffering and 51 percent of women and 59 percent of pregnant women are affected by anaemia and other health problems in the rural areas. The NSSO report says that consumption of rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene form PDS in rural Karnataka is 59 percent and 29 percent in urban areas. But this study examines whether Targeted PDS is reaching the poor people in rural areas without any hurdles. This present study finds out the effectiveness of targeted public distribution system in rural areas, particularly in tribal families in selected rural districts in the state. The data covered 600 households (multi-stage random samples), socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Ordered (Ordinal) Logistic Regression Model is used in this study, the results using this model shows that the Targeted PDS has not reached the poor people in tribal areas. The study suggests methods to make improvement in Targeted PDS particular in rural and hills areas.

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