Analysing The Effectiveness of The Public Distribution System Across Two
Different Slum Typologies in Mumbai

Miss Anushree Manoj; Dr. Deepa. V. K

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i10.045

Title: Analysing The Effectiveness of The Public Distribution System Across Two Different Slum Typologies in Mumbai
Authors: Miss Anushree Manoj and Dr. Deepa. V. K
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 10 Issue: 10 Publication Date: October 2025 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i10.045
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Miss Anushree Manoj and Dr. Deepa. V. K Department of Economics, Christ (Deemed To Be University)
MLA 8 Manoj, Miss Anushree, and Dr. Deepa. V. K. "Analysing The Effectiveness of The Public Distribution System Across Two Different Slum Typologies in Mumbai." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 10, no. 10, Oct. 2025, pp. 5266-5292, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i10.045. Accessed Oct. 2025. APA 6 Manoj, M., & K, D. (2025, October). Analysing The Effectiveness of The Public Distribution System Across Two Different Slum Typologies in Mumbai. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 10(10), 5266-5292. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i10.045 Chicago Manoj, Miss Anushree, and Dr. Deepa. V. K. "Analysing The Effectiveness of The Public Distribution System Across Two Different Slum Typologies in Mumbai." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 10, no. 10 (October 2025), 5266-5292. Accessed October, 2025. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i10.045.
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ABSTRACT: The Public Distribution System (PDS) is an essential welfare mechanism in India, providing food security to millions of people. However, despite its widespread presence, there are inefficiencies in its function, creating barriers and preventing access, most notably in informal urban slum settlements. This research analyses the performance of PDS in two different slum typologies in Mumbai— Mankhurd Transit Camp (formal) and Ganpat Patil Nagar (informal)—through household-level experiences using a multiple case study design. Through a mix of semi-structured interviews, structured questionnaires, and quantitative surveys, the research identifies major issues like ration card inconsistencies, stock misallocation, Corruption at Fair Price Shops (FPS), and poor grievance redressal mechanisms. The research findings underscore systemic problems such as the low quality of food, scarcity of food quantities and unreliability of FPS operations. Blackmarket selling and malpractices also withhold from the poor their rightful portions, while geographical and socio-economic obstacles create hindrances in terms of efficiency of access. The study calls for immediate policy reforms, regular data updating to avoid misallocation, and a well-built grievance redressal mechanism. The study highlights the need for an inclusive urban welfare strategy that ensures the optimal distribution of PDS to weaker segments of our society.

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