*🛡️Public Distribution System (PDS)* *💎Eligibility* ♟️Must be an Indian citizen. ♟️Families below the poverty line are eligible for PDS. ♟️Families without a member between ages 15-59. ♟️Families with a disabled member can also avail benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Gramin Yojana. ♟️Casual laborers or those without permanent jobs are eligible. *💎Benefits* ♟️Below Poverty Line (BPL) households receive highly subsidized food grains. ♟️Above Poverty Line (APL) households receive food grains at higher prices. ♟️35 kg of rice or wheat every month for households below the poverty line. ♟️15 kg of food grains monthly for eligible BPL households. ♟️Migrant workers can access food grains through ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card) wherever they are working. *💎History & Overview* ♟️The system was established during WWII as a wartime rationing measure. ♟️Relaunched as Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) on June 1, 1997, focusing on assisting the poor. *💎Ministry & Oversight* ♟️The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution oversees PDS implementation. ♟️Central and State Governments share responsibility for the program. ♟️Food Corporation of India (FCI) is responsible for procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation. ♟️State Governments handle the distribution of food through Fair Price Shops (FPS).