Formulating public policy for distribution of essential goods: an analytical approach

Abstract

Public Policy concerning distribution of essential goods of mass consumption has assumed critical importance in several developing countries. In India, such policies have generally been reactive, in response to exigencies of critical situations such as shortages, price rise or deterioration in quality of essential goods. This paper presents a comprehensive, detailed, explicit and et simple approach for formulating a consistent and potentially effective public distribution policy. A systematic model of distribution policy is presented in which starting from the consumption needs of society, the mix of policy instruments (both structural and non-structural) likely to achieve the policy objectives most effectively can be derived.