Citizen Monitoring of Fair Price Shops in the Public Distribution System
Authors: Bhargavi Nagendra; Aishwarya Mallavaram. Key contributors acknowledged: Dr. Shamla Iqbal, Dr. N. Srinivas, Anurag Sharma, Reemsha Reen, district partners and PAC field research team
Citizen Monitoring of Fair Price Shops in the Public Distribution System presents the findings of a three-year action research project undertaken by the Public Affairs Centre (PAC) across all 30 districts of Karnataka to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the functioning of 180 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Supported by Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) and Dasra, the study evaluated three community monitoring models, Citizen Vigilance Committees (CVCs), Citizen Monitor Action Teams (CMATs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), to identify the most effective mechanism for improving compliance with PDS norms. Using field surveys, monitoring visits, stakeholder consultations, awareness assessments, and mixed-method research, the report found that the SHG model delivered the greatest improvement in FPS compliance, transparency, record maintenance, and citizen awareness while strengthening community participation and local accountability. The study also identified persistent challenges, including weak functioning of government-appointed vigilance committees, limited grievance redressal, inadequate training of stakeholders, political interference, and technological and operational gaps in PDS implementation. Based on these findings, the report recommends statewide adoption of the SHG-led community monitoring model, regular social audits, strengthened grievance redressal through an independent ombudsman, enhanced use of digital technologies, improved capacity building of FPS owners and citizen monitors, greater transparency, and a long-term shift from calorie-based food security towards nutrition security, thereby promoting a more participatory, efficient, and citizen-centric Public Distribution System.
