Publisher

CASSRCASSR

Journal Journal of Asian Social Science ResearchJournal of Asian Social Science Research Abstract

Public food distribution programmes are central to social protection efforts, yet their performance often falls short of their stated goals. This study evaluates the service quality of the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme, which provides subsidised food grains to low-income urban residents, and examines how institutional and political factors shape its outcomes. Using a qualitative design informed by critical realism, the research draws on 20 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected beneficiaries and 10 key informant interviews with programme administrators, dealers and community leaders, complemented by documentary analysis of policy and evaluation reports. The findings show that, although OMS offers short-term price relief, its service quality is undermined by long queues, uncertain access, inadequate ration sizes, poor food quality and weak responsiveness to complaints. Targeting errors, institutional capacity gaps, chronic underfunding and pervasive corruption, including political influence over dealer selection and outlet locations, further distort benefit distribution and generate significant leakages and losses along the supply chain. The study concludes that the programme only partially protects food-insecure households and requires substantial reform in both design and implementation. Empirically, it contributes fine-grained evidence on how front-line practices and local power relations shape the performance of food-based safety nets. Policy implications include the need to strengthen data-driven targeting, increase transparency and accountability, invest in storage and monitoring systems, and integrate OMS within a broader, more coherent social protection strategy.

Conclusion

The OMS program provides only partial and often unreliable protection for urban poor households due to issues like long queues, uncertain access, and insufficient rations.Targeting is hampered by corruption and political influence, leading to both inclusion and exclusion errors.The programs effectiveness is further limited by institutional weaknesses, chronic underfunding, and leakages in the supply chain, necessitating substantial redesign to achieve its intended objectives.

Future Research

Future research should investigate the OMS programs performance in rural areas and smaller cities, combining qualitative data with large-scale quantitative surveys to accurately assess targeting errors and leakages. Longitudinal studies tracking program impacts over time are needed, alongside in-depth institutional analyses to understand how incentives and power dynamics influence implementation. Furthermore, research should focus on evaluating specific reforms, such as digital targeting and enhanced grievance mechanisms, to identify scalable solutions for improving the programs effectiveness. Finally, exploring the integration of OMS with other social protection programs could create a more comprehensive and resilient safety net for vulnerable populations, and studies should assess the feasibility and impact of such integration strategies. These investigations will contribute to a more robust understanding of how to optimize food security interventions in Bangladesh and similar contexts.

References

1. Governance of the Social Safety Net in Bangladesh: A Study on the Employment Generation Programme for... doi.org/10.1177/00195561221141508Governance of the Social Safety Net in Bangladesh A Study on the Employment Generation Programme for doi 10 1177 00195561221141508
2. The Impact of Social Safety Net Programs on Poverty, Food Security and Standard of Living in Bangladesh... doi.org/10.1177/25166026221135328The Impact of Social Safety Net Programs on Poverty Food Security and Standard of Living in Bangladesh doi 10 1177 25166026221135328
3. Food security among the people living in rural Bangladesh insights from the northern region of the country.... doi.org/10.48130/CAS-2023-0010Food security among the people living in rural Bangladesh insights from the northern region of the country doi 10 48130 CAS 2023 0010
4. Full article: Resilience of Social Transfer Programs to Large Unexpected Shocks. full article resilience... doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2023.2297644Full article Resilience of Social Transfer Programs to Large Unexpected Shocks full article resilience doi 10 1080 00220388 2023 2297644

Metadata

File size	1.06 MB
Pages	28
DMCA	Report