PDS- Evaluation, Monitoring and Research Project

PDS-Evaluation, Monitoring and Research, erstwhile a scheme component, is a project aimed to get the functioning of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/National Food Security Act (NFSA) evaluation through independent reputed agencies (Monitoring Institutions, MI) from time to time. In order to strengthen the ongoing monitoring of NFSA implementation and to provide a more in-depth, incisive and comprehensive empirical evidence on regular basis, the Department of Food and Public Distribution engaged several Monitoring Institutions (MIs) for conducting concurrent evaluation exercise in different States/UTs as per agreed Terms of Reference in Phase – I (2018-20) & Phase – II (2020-23).

In Phase-I, under erstwhile scheme component, Department of Food and Public Distribution engaged the monitoring Institutions (MIs) for 2 years (2018-20) in different States/UTs for submitting quarterly reports. The reports were shared with the concerned States/ UTs for taking necessary action.

Phase-II Project, which is for 3 years, the concurrent evaluation is conducted on a half-yearly basis in 17 States/UTs and on annual basis in remaining 19 States/UTs.

This time the study/evaluation exercise is on thematic basis and covers different themes, inter-alia, inclusion and exclusion errors, Awareness and education (IEC) on One Nation One Ration Card/ Portability, Supply chain and PDS reforms, Effectiveness of Grievance Redressal, Vigilance committee and social audit Ease of Access and Leakages/ diversion and others. The reports submitted by the MIs for the first and second years have been shared with allotted States/UTs for taking further necessary action on the findings/ recommendations.

Reports on Phase-I and Phase-II may be viewed in the link given here:

https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/Concurrent_Evaluation