Assessing the performance of the Public Distribution System in Haryana: A District-Level Study
Keywords:
Food security, Public Distribution System, Haryana, socio-demographic, ration cards, PDS performance, povertyAbstract
This paper presents an empirical evaluation of food security status in Haryana through the lens of socio-demographic characteristics and Public Distribution System (PDS) outreach. Using a primary sample of 480 households across four districts of Haryana (Charkhi Dadri, Hisar, Nuh, Panchkula), the study explores the effectiveness of ration card distribution, PDS accessibility, and the socio-economic vulnerabilities affecting food sufficiency. The analysis integrates with percentage and frequency distributions, categorized by age, gender, income, caste, and other demographic traits. Findings reveal that while PDS coverage is nearly universal, nearly 20% of households still face hunger and insufficient meals, emphasizing the need for enhanced entitlements and nutritional diversity. The paper concludes with policy suggestions aimed at improving targeting efficiency, household-level adequacy and improve transparency in the delivery of rations etc.
References
Ahmed, A. U., Quisumbing, A. R., Nasreen, M., Hoddinott, J., & Bryan, E. (2009). Comparing food and cash transfers to the ultra-poor in Bangladesh. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Bhuyan, B., & Sahoo, B. K. (2017). Socio-economic determinants of food security in India: A quantile regression analysis. Available at SSRN 2985647.
Dreze, J., & Khera, R. (2013). Rural poverty and the Public Distribution System. Economic and Political Weekly, 48(45-46), 55–60.
FAO. (1996). Rome Declaration on World Food Security and World Food Summit Plan of Action. Food and Agriculture Organization.
Gaiha, R., Jha, R., & Kulkarni, V. S. (2010). Diets, nutrition and poverty: the Indian experience. Available at SSRN 1734590. ASARC Working Paper 2010/20.
Global Hunger Index. (2022). GHI Scores and Indicators. https://www.globalhungerindex.org
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Engineering Science & Humanities
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
