Reports on Public Distribution System (PDS) in Bihar

• Reports in Jharkhand and Odisha highlight the removal of households from the PDS rolls.

• Bihar, another state in the east-central region, also faces a PDS tragedy.

• The Musahar community, a marginalized community, struggles with the PDS due to socio-political caste politics.

• Many Musahar households in Patna district lack an active ration card and the card doesn’t include all family members’ names.

• Biometric verification at fair price shops (FPS) has led to lost access to monthly ration supply.

• Corruption is also a problem with the PDS system. FPS dealers release only four kilograms of food grain per person, when a below poverty line household is entitled to five kilograms.

• Documentation requirements for PDS enrolment are not legal and are not outlined in the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 or the PDS control order of 2015.

• The government has made no attempt at systemic change, leading to exploitation of the community.

• Middlemen charge a sum of ₹3,000 to have a ration card made, often without the documents issued or traceable after payment.

• Even if people can file their application, there is no guarantee they will get their ration card.

• The right to food has been recognized as a fundamental right for 24 years, but bureaucratic red tape has been enforcing it.