For several decades, the public distribution system in Kerala was considered an effective measure of food security, a model for most other states. However, the salient features of Kerala’s model that received widespread recognition and appreciation, namely, universal coverage, high levels of utilisation, progressive utilisation, etc., are no longer true of the present times. The introduction of a targeted public distribution system (TPDS), resulting in the massive withdrawal of people from the system, does not seem to have contributed to any additional benefit in Kerala. Not only have the offtakes greatly declined but also the attendant benefits of progressive distribution to the poorer regions have not materialised. Though the genuinely needy continue to be dependent on the system, the highly arbitrary identification of beneficiaries has gone on to deprive sizeable eligible households from the benefit of the food security cover.
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