wl-4131-How Inclusive Is the Present Public Distribution System?: Evidence from Rural Uttar Pradesh

In February last year, issue of fake ration card was raised in the Rajya Sabha Question Hour, which indicates unprecedented injustice faced by eligible individuals and families due to structural limitation in inclusion system of the public distribution system in Uttar Pradesh. This article is based on a primary survey conducted in rural areas of four districts of Uttar Pradesh, namely Prayagraj, Sitapur, Bareilly, and Jhansi. The findings raise serious concern over the cancellations of eligible card holders, exploitation of eligibility criteria by ineligible beneficiaries, shortcomings in the ONORCs and persistent leakages of ration during distribution. The article concludes with some suggestions related to various structural changes in the public distribution system to ensure the essence of food security.