PDS- Public Distribution System, rather than saying it as PDS, more people in Tamil Nadu can identify the word RATION SHOP. Usually it’s a small dark place, with a dull looking sign board, which might’ve been placed years before. This is the ambiance of the shop. - 1

An angry guy will be seated in the table, who’ll take money & bill. A tough looking sweaty bloke, usually with sleeveless baniyan will grab the bill frm us. He’ll crush the bill, throw it in the gauge, on top he’ll pour the grain. The bill will be lost in the grain. - 2

To get this one has to wade through a long crowd. Some will jump the queue and there will be fight. One can easily learn the choosiest swear words. Separate queue for men and women. One has to spend at least 2-3 hours to get the monthly ration. - 3

2-3 hours is not once in a month affair. One has to keep checking whn the shop wil open. Ask neighbors near the shop to inform whn its opened. Visit once for rice, thn wheat & for kerosene. Ration card was(and is) a lifeline for most. Why this thread now? Will come to it later 4

As I stand in the queue of a cozy super market, I always recollect these ration shop & my exp in getting the things from there. I used to hate going there. Sometimes after standing for few hours, the shop clerk will say, it is over! Return empty handed to left right frm mom! - 5

After few years, one of my uncle’s frm Blore who were having difficulties to meet their ends used to visit us to take the rice from our neighbors, who didn’t use the PDS rice. They’ll sell it at a little higher rate(but still it was less compared to market price). - 6

Some of my well to-do relatives from K’taka would make fun of how the free/min priced products from TN PDS is making people lazy!! But for my uncle, this meant a lot. They were a family of 6 and it saved lots of money in their monthly spending. - 7

There are many similar anecdotal stories. The success of Tamil Nadu in the PDS is universal distribution, rather than targeting. Of course there are few filtering. Now, do I vouch for One Nation One Ration Card- No. - 8

I’ve concerns that this One Nation card can dismantle the already successful model in Tamil Nadu. TN model might have to climb down. Food distribution is the prerogative of state. I feel Union govt is infringing in it. - 9

It is not like someone from UP is going to travel to TN monthly to buy from ration shop here. This is more like a romanticizing the One Nation One ___ & after centralizing it, they can give cash instead of grains. - 10

The farm produce trade and commerce act, One Nation One Ration card, nearby small annachi kadai, super markets, online retails all are interconnected. - 11

Oh I need to check today, will our oru ration card will work here. T Cya.