ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that a study of decentralised procurement and related reforms in Chhattisgarh is important for understanding of the success of the public distribution system (PDS) reforms in the state. With the introduction of the Chhattisgarh Food Security Act (CFSA), the rice distributed under PDS in the state has seen a tremendous rise. The objective of this chapter is to present a descriptive analysis of the reforms that the Chhattisgarh government undertook in relation to paddy procurement. It focuses on Chhattisgarh as it has been the most impressive in terms of increase in procurement in recent years. The direct result of the reforms and the focus on Decentralised Procurement Scheme (DCP) in Chhattisgarh is reflected in the increase in the procurement of paddy in the state. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the nodal central agency of the Government of India (GoI) which undertakes procurement of paddy/rice, wheat and coarse cereals along with other state agencies.
