A Novel Beneficiary‐Centric Analysis of Public Distribution System Constraints: Evidence from Multi‐Regional Assessment in an Emerging Economy

This study examines the operational constraints affecting India's Public Distribution System (PDS), with particular focus on beneficiary experiences across northern, central, southern, and eastern states. Employing a multi-stage random sampling methodology, the research analysed data from 1,120 beneficiaries (560 rural, 560 urban) using Garrett's ranking technique to quantify the relative significance of identified constraints. Seven critical implementation challenges were evaluated: quality of foodgrains, geographical accessibility, temporal consistency of distribution, procedural efficiency, waiting times, staff behaviour, and inventory management. The findings reveal that the provision of inferior quality foodgrains consistently emerges as the primary constraint across regions, achieving the highest Garrett scores (ranging from 60.85 to 73.16). The non-availability of scheme-specified items ranks second in severity, particularly pronounced in central states (GS: 68.48 in rural areas). Operational inefficiencies, manifested through multiple visits to Fair Price Shops, constitute the third most significant barrier, with notable urban-rural variations in impact. The research indicates that while physical access and staff behaviour pose minimal impediments, systemic issues in quality control and supply chain management require immediate policy intervention to enhance PDS effectiveness in ensuring food security for vulnerable populations.