Primary Food Consumption Gap: Thali Index and PDS Reform
Why in the news
Fresh survey data allowed a look at who can afford a balanced diet and how PDS performs.
Primary food consumption
- Minimum intake for energy, protein and micronutrients: cereals, pulses, vegetables, fats and milk or curd.
- Measured by the Thali Index (rice or roti, dal, vegetables, curd, salad).
PDS findings
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gain | Cereal consumption equal across groups |
| Gap | Protein deficiency; pulses inadequate |
| Inefficiency | 80% coverage reaches non-poor; high FCI stocks strain finances |
| Subsidies | Urban more progressive; rural favour higher spenders |
Challenges
- Cereal subsidies crowd out nutrition spending.
- Anaemia and stunting persist; pulses are harder to store.
- Leakages and exclusion errors.
Way forward
- Trim cereal quotas; add pulses, millets, fortified oils, iodised salt.
- Withdraw subsidies for the top 20% fractile.
- Use Aadhaar with SECC data, GPS tracking, DBT for pulses and e-POS.
Exam angle
- Metric: Thali Index; PDS coverage 80%.