Evaluating the Impact of Fair Price Shops on Food Security: A Comprehensive Study within the Aspirational District Programme in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand

Abstract The Aspirational District Programme, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2018, aims to promote equitable development across 115 identified districts in India, including 19 in Jharkhand, with Hazaribagh situated in the North Chotanagpur division. This program operates under 49 indicators spread across five key sectors: Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure. A critical aspect of this initiative is the Health and Nutrition sector, which emphasizes the provision of nutritious food to ensure that no one faces hunger. Food security is vital in assessing whether individuals have consistent access to food, particularly through the Public Distribution System (PDS). This system includes numerous Fair Price Shops, or ration shops, tasked with delivering essential goods to individuals categorized as Below Poverty Line (BPL), Priority House Holds (PHH), and those under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in Jharkhand, aimed at supporting the most impoverished families with subsidized rates set by the central government. My research focuses on several Fair Price Shops in Hazaribagh district, employing survey methods to gather primary data. The objective is to gain insights into the actual conditions of these ration shops and to evaluate the extent of benefits received by the local population.