Factors Affecting Beneficiaries’ Preference for Biannual Distribution of Food Grains in Public Distribution System of Punjab, India

Abstract

In 2014, to improve upon the existing scheme, the Punjab government launched a “new wheat-pulses scheme” under the public distribution system. The state decided to distribute grains on a six-monthly basis instead of every month. It claimed various benefits, whereas beneficiaries expressed concerns. The purpose of this research was to identify and understand factors affecting beneficiaries’ preference for successful adoption of six-monthly distribution system. Factors affecting beneficiaries’ preference included monthly hassle, leakages in system, storage challenges, interval of grain distribution, one-time down payment, trade of bulk grains by family, exploitation by middle-men, communication of arrival of grains, gender, area, and nature of employment.