Agflation and the PDS – Some Issues

In the context of the current public policy focus on rising food prices and their implications
for food security, this paper examines two major issues raised: (i) Universalization of the
public distribution system; and (ii) its implications for procurement and buffer-stocks. This
paper is based on the recent evidence on the profile of public distribution system, its targeted
version in particular, households reliance on the public distribution system and the open
market, and its policy implications. The paper concludes that the need of the hour is not
universalisation of the PDS but a revision of the food security norm, a BPL-friendly PDS and
its efficient functioning.