Enhancing Food Security: Service Delivery Challenges and Opportunities in Assam's Fair Price Shops

Abstract

The state of Assam, located in north-eastern India, has a significant percentage of its population living in poverty, and its marginalized population relies primarily on food entitlements mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, under the Target Public Distribution System (TPDS). The Target Public Distribution System (PDS) provides subsidized food through Fair Price Shops (FPS), significant for reaching vulnerable populations. The paper evaluates the efficiency and accessibility of the FPS service delivery mechanism in Assam under NFSA, 2013. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. The study's findings show that remote and inaccessible locations, coupled with poor infrastructure and connectivity, impede the performance of FPSs in Assam. The State has lagged in implementing crucial technological interventions under NFSA, 2013, which has adversely affected the region's food security.