Archive · 6 Aug 2025
Government Rejects Doorstep Delivery of Food Grains for Vulnerable Groups
The government won't bring food to the homes of elderly or disabled people who get food through the PDS.
This is because the current rules don't allow it.
Some groups wanted easier access to food for these people.
The government explained that the rules say the states give food to shops, but people have to pick it up.
The government also stated there are no plans to change this rule or make special provisions for these vulnerable groups, even though many people get free food grains through other programs.
Government will not implement doorstep delivery of food grains under the PDS.
Clarification follows calls for easier food access for the disabled and elderly.
Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the current PDS framework doesn't allow home delivery.
State governments handle food grain distribution to fair-price shops.
No special provisions exist for the disabled or elderly within the NFSA.
- Who
- The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi.
- What
- The government is not planning to offer doorstep delivery of food grains under the PDS for the elderly and disabled.
- When
- The clarification was made in a Lok Sabha response on Wednesday.
- Where
- India
- Why
- The government stated that the current framework of the PDS does not allow for doorstep delivery.
Advocates and Civil Society
Government
Accessibility
Advocates and Civil Society
Advocates want to make food more accessible to the elderly and disabled by implementing home delivery.
Government
The government maintains its position that doorstep delivery is not part of the current PDS framework and is not under consideration.
- Minister
- Pralhad Joshi
- Program
- Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Beneficiaries
- Elderly and Disabled
- Main Concern
- Accessibility to food entitlements
- NFSA
- National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
- PMGKAY Beneficiaries
- Approximately 81.35 crore