Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis

This project assessed the implementation and impact of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in Madhya Pradesh from October 1, 2022, to January 30, 2023. The NFSA aims to alleviate hunger by providing subsidized food grains to two-thirds of India’s population through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The study evaluated 75 households from four sampled districts, including Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries. It focused on key indicators such as accessibility, quality, pricing, and potential leakages in the food distribution system. Most beneficiaries were aware of intra- and inter-state portability options, though the uptake remained low. Distribution under the PMGKAY scheme was accessible and efficiently managed. While Fair Price Shops (FPS), largely managed by cooperatives, performed well, some dealers faced operational challenges. The findings offer valuable insights to improve food grain distribution, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance s