The public distribution system, which provides food at low prices, is a subject of vital concern. There is a growing realization that though Pakistan has enough food to feed its masses three square meals a day, the monster of starvation and food insecurity continues to haunt the poor in our country.Increasing the purchasing power of the poor through providing productive employment leading to rising income, and thus a good standard of living, is the ultimate objective of public policy. However, till then, there is a need to provide assured supply of food through a restructured, more efficient and decentralized public distribution system (PDS).Although the PDS is extensive—it is one of the largest such systems in the world—it has yet to reach the rural poor and the far-off places. It remains an urban phenomenon, with the majority of the rural poor still out of its reach due to lack of economic and physical access. The poorest in the cities and the migrants are left out, for they generally do not possess ration cards. The allocation of PDS supplies in big cities is larger than in rural areas. In view of such deficiencies in the system, the PDS urgently needs to be streamlined. In addition, considering the large food grain production combined with food subsidy on one hand and the continuing slow starvation and dismal poverty of the rural population on the other, there is a strong case for making the PDS target-group oriented.The growing salaried class is provided job security, regular income, and wage insulation against inflation. These gains of development have not percolated down to the vast majority of our working population. If one compares only dearness allowance to the employees in public and private sectors and looks at its growth in past few years, the rising food subsidy is insignificant to the point of inequality. The food subsidy is a kind of D.A. to the poor, the self-employed, and those in the unorganized sector of the economy. However, what is most unfortunate is that out of the large budget of the so-called food subsidy, the major part of it is administrative cost and wastages. A small portion of the above budget goes to real consumers and an even lesser portion to the poor who are in real need. It is true that subsidies should not become a permanent feature, except for the destitute, disabled widows, and the old. It is also true that subsidies often create a psychology of dependence and hence are habit-forming, killing the general initiative of the people. By making the PDS target-group oriented, not only the poorest and neediest would be reached without additional cost, but it will actually cut overall costs incurred on large cities and better-off localities. When food and food subsidies are limited, the rural and urban poor should have priority in the PDS supplies. The PDS should be closely linked with programs of employment generation and nutrition improvement.Which of the following is a key step to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more effective?

Making it more target-group oriented

Increasing the amount of food grains per ration card

Decreasing the allotment of food grains to the urban sector

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