Context: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged irregularities in the implementation of Karnataka’s Public Distribution System (PDS) during 2017-2022.
CAG Report on PDS Diversion:
- Unauthorized Vehicles Used:
- Transporters used passenger vehicles (e.g., Tata Indica, Maruti Omni, three-wheelers) instead of authorized trucks.
- Inflated Transport Claims:
- 1,725 trips out of 2,510 tested showed unauthorized vehicles transporting foodgrains.
- Lack of Monitoring:
- WSD (Wholesale Depot) managers failed to ensure use of authorized vehicles per contract agreements.
- Hygiene and Maintenance Issues:
- Poor hygiene observed, including pest infestations and stray animals in depots.
Relevance in UPSC exam syllabus:
- GS Paper II (Governance): Issues with PDS implementation and accountability in welfare schemes.
- GS Paper III (Economy): Leakages and inefficiencies in food distribution systems.
- Essay: Topics related to food security, governance reforms, and transparency in public systems.
- Ethics Paper (GS IV): Case studies on accountability, ethical lapses, and corruption in public service delivery.
