Introduction:
The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is a welfare program initiated by the Government of India to provide food security to the poor and vulnerable sections of society. It was launched with the aim of ensuring the availability of essential commodities at affordable prices to those in need. The TPDS has undergone several modifications and improvements since its inception.

Launch of TPDS:
The Government of India launched the Targeted Public Distribution System in June 1997. This marked a significant step towards addressing the issue of food security and alleviating poverty in the country. The program was designed to target the poor and vulnerable sections of society and provide them with essential food items at subsidized rates.

Objectives of TPDS:
The TPDS has the following key objectives:

1. Targeting: The program aims to identify and target the poor and vulnerable sections of society to ensure that they receive the benefits of the scheme.

2. Availability: The TPDS aims to ensure the availability of essential commodities, such as wheat, rice, and sugar, to the targeted beneficiaries.

3. Access: The program strives to ensure that the targeted beneficiaries have easy access to the designated ration shops and receive their entitled food grains without any hassle.

4. Quality control: The TPDS focuses on maintaining the quality of food grains distributed under the scheme to ensure the nutritional well-being of the beneficiaries.

Features of TPDS:
The Targeted Public Distribution System has the following features:

1. Identification of beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of the TPDS are identified using the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) criteria.

2. Issue of ration cards: Ration cards are issued to eligible beneficiaries, which serve as an identification document for availing subsidized food grains.

3. Subsidized food grains: The TPDS provides essential commodities, primarily wheat, rice, and sugar, at highly subsidized rates to the targeted beneficiaries.

4. Ration shops: Fair Price Shops (FPS) or ration shops are established across the country to distribute food grains to the beneficiaries.

5. Monitoring and transparency: The TPDS implements various measures to ensure transparency, including computerization of records, digitization of beneficiary databases, and the use of electronic weighing scales.

6. Reforms: Over the years, the TPDS has undergone several reforms to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. These include the introduction of direct cash transfers, Aadhaar-based authentication, and the use of technology for better targeting and monitoring.

Conclusion:
The Targeted Public Distribution System was launched by the Government of India in June 1997 to provide food security to the poor and vulnerable sections of society. Through its various features and objectives, the TPDS aims to ensure the availability and accessibility of essential food items at subsidized rates to the targeted beneficiaries. The program has been instrumental in alleviating poverty and improving food security in the country.