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The Shanta Kumar Committee was established in August 2014 to review the operations of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Chaired by Shanta Kumar, its primary goal was to enhance India's food security and improve agricultural stock management.
Key areas of focus for its recommendations included reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS), Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy, and the introduction of cash transfers.
The committee aimed to foster a more efficient and reliable food economy for the nation.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government-sponsored network of fair price shops that distributes essential commodities, such as food grains (wheat, rice), sugar, and kerosene, at highly subsidized prices to eligible beneficiaries, primarily the economically weaker sections. Its core objective is to manage food scarcity and ensure food security, especially for vulnerable populations.
Simple Analogy: Think of PDS as a government-run, subsidized grocery store chain designed to make basic food items affordable and accessible to those who cannot afford market prices.
FCI serves as the central agency responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains under various government welfare schemes, including the National Food Security Act (NFSA). It plays a crucial role in maintaining buffer stocks to ensure food security, stabilize market prices, and provide price support to farmers.
The committee's proposals for PDS reforms and food security directly impact the implementation and effectiveness of the NFSA, which legally entitles a significant portion of the Indian population to subsidized food grains.
Recommendations concerning MSP and PDS have profound implications for government expenditure and the fiscal deficit, as food subsidies represent a substantial component of the Union Budget.
GS Paper III: Economy, Food Security, Agricultural Policy
General Awareness: Indian Economy, Government Schemes
General Awareness: Economic & Social Issues, Government Policies
General Awareness: Indian Economy, Current Affairs
Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/ RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian rupee?
Answer: Following an expansionary monetary policy
Consider the following statements: 1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments. 2. The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments. 3. As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government's consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 3 only
Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National Development Council 3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 5. The Parliament Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 2 and 5 only
Medium to High for UPSC (as part of broader food security/agricultural policy), Medium for SSC/Banking (direct factual questions).
A government-managed system for distributing subsidized food and non-food items to eligible beneficiaries.
A price fixed by the Government of India to protect producer-farmers against excessive fall in price during bumper production years.
The central agency responsible for procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains for public welfare schemes.