<p>"This careful empirical study is a valuable addition to the recent literature on food security, cash transfers, and reforms of the public distribution system. In this as in many other fields, we have much to learn from Kerala's experience."<br /> <strong>— Jean Drèze,</strong> Well known Development economist, honorary Professor at the Delhi School of Economics</p> <p>In "The reforms in Public Distribution System and the Role of Cash Transfers in India: An Empirical Analysis from Kerala", Sweety Thomas and Krishna Reddy Chittedi present an unprecedentedly detailed history of India's Public Distribution System (PDS), the main food security scheme in the country, in the state of Kerala. Drawing on extremely rich empirical data, the authors evaluate the PDS in relation to cash transfer alternatives, remarking the importance of the implementation of the core food security mechanisms at the heart of PDS in a historic light from the origins to the present pandemic emergency. A must-read for food security researchers in and beyond the Indian context.<br /> <strong>— Silvia Masiero,</strong> Associate Professor, University of Oslo, Norway</p> <p>“By evaluating cash transfer as an alternative to the public distribution system (PDS) in Kerala, this book contributes to the debate over PDS reforms in India. It will evoke interest of other researchers in this extremely important topic and will be an excellent reference for those studying food security and poverty alleviation.”<br /> <strong>— Hiranya K Nath,</strong> Professor, Department of Economics and Intl. Business, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Sweety Thomas</strong> is currently Independent Researcher and Consultant, Thrissur, Kerala, India. She has obtained her Ph.D. in Economics from Central University of Tamil Nadu, and had been working as an Asst. Professor (on contract) in St.Marys’s College, Thrissur, Kerala. Her area of specialisation is in Public Distribution System (PDS) and Cash Transfer Scheme. Her postgraduation was from Central University of Kerala and she was also an internee of Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram. She has published in reputed journals like EPW and Journal of Public Affairs. She has participated and presented papers in national and international conferences. She was a recipient of Swamy Vivekananda Scholarship for research in Social Sciences.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Krishna Reddy Chittedi</strong> is currently Assistant Professor at School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He has been awarded “Prof M J Manohar Rao Young Economist Award” for the year 2015 from the Indian Econometric Society, New Delhi and also received prestigious Prof. KN Raj Teacher Fellowship-2016 from the Centre for Development Studies, Kerala. Dr Reddy has published several research papers in top tier international journals and in National and International conference proceedings and two books in his credit. He also extends services as a subject expert for various public service commissions in India. His research papers have more than 630 citations. Dr Reddy has delivered more than 100 invited lectures in reputed organisation across the country.</p>