The Public Distribution System, or PDS, is basically a key welfare effort, meant to make sure food is there on time and to help cut down poverty for low income households. In this study, we look at how effective the PDS feels from the beneficiary’s side, not just on paper. The focus is on food security, poverty reduction, and how satisfied people are with the whole arrangement, especially around accessibility, the sort of quality, the exact quantity, and the way essential commodities are actually distributed
A quantitative method was adopted, and the data was gathered from PDS beneficiaries using a structured questionnaire. Then Structural Equation Modelling, SEM, was used to see how PDS service quality connects with beneficiary satisfaction, and how that in turn affects food security and poverty reduction. In addition, a paired t-test was applied to compare the situation before and after people started using PDS benefits
The results indicate that PDS service quality significantly boosts beneficiary satisfaction, and that satisfaction then has a positive influence on food security and poverty reduction. Also, the paired t-test supports the idea that household conditions improve quite a bit after using PDS services. Overall, the study concludes that the PDS does work for welfare outcomes, however, more refinements in service delivery are suggested, because some gaps still remain and it could be smoother.
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