Food Security to the People in the State of Goa through Public Distribution System Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study

The outbreak of COVID-19 has grappled the entire globe with nobody as an exception. The threat looms over as the countries across the world are focusing on containment of the virus and simultaneously taking measures to save the economy. One of the major challenges is to ensure food security to people against the demon – COVID-19. India in its response to COVID-19 has taken series of measures. This paper focuses on the measures taken by government authorities to ensure food security through supply of essential commodities to people of the State of Goa. The data is collected from beneficiaries of Public Distribution System, the Fair Price Shop owners and the Department of Civil Supplies, Government of Goa. The response from beneficiaries is analyzed through factor analysis. The prominent problems faced by beneficiaries in accessing food grains at the Fair Price Shops include inadequacy of food grains, lack of adequate supervision, transport, poor service and safety issues. Subsequently, the prominent factors derived out of factor analysis are regressed on the unwillingness of the beneficiaries to visit the fair price shop. The challenges faced by Fair Price Shop owners in distribution of food grains to eligible beneficiaries are also studied. The actions taken by Department of Civil Supplies, Government of Goa to combat COVID-19 by ensuring the supply of essential commodities to beneficiaries are also highlighted in the study.