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This study examines the coverage and effect of cash transfers and food subsidies in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on a primary survey of rural women in the state of Bihar – an underdeveloped state with poor public delivery systems – undertaken in January–March and September–November 2020. Although the coverage of cash transfers was wider than that of food subsidies, respondents receiving cereals and pulses under the Public Distribution System reported a lower probability of suffering from food insecurity vis-à-vis cash subsidies. The study suggests that food subsidies may be more effective when supply chains break down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐help groups (SHGs) are used as instruments for changes in health‐related behaviour. We evaluated the impact of the Health and Nutrition Strategy of JEEViKA on the dietary practices of infants in rural areas of Bihar. Propensity score matching revealed that the probability of exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months and starting complementary feeding after 6 months was higher by 5% and 3%, respectively, if the respondent was an SHG member. The average treatment effects on treated using attendance in meetings as the treatment variable found that the programme had increased breastfeeding only, with there being peer effects also. The study recommends encouraging attendance in SHG meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The outbreak of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown were widely expected to impact food security. • Dietary practices of women deteriorated, but that of their youngest child remained the same. • The ownership of ration cards or political contacts offered some protection. • A combination of Take Home Rations and Cash Transfer policies is necessary to guarantee food security to women and children during pandemics. The outbreak of COVID-19, and the national-level lockdown to contain it, were expected to disrupt supply chains, lead to livelihood loss, and reduce household income. Studies anticipated a decline in food security in India, leading to a near famine-like situation. In this study, we examine the change in Dietary Score (number of food groups consumed out of a possible eight) and proportion of respondents complying with Minimum Dietary Diversity norms (consuming at least four food groups) among women aged 15–49 years and their youngest child (aged between 7 and 36 months) during the lockdown. The present study also analyses whether ownership of ration cards and contacts with the party in power locally helped the household to tide over the crisis. The data was collected through a two-phase primary survey undertaken in January-March 2020 (pre-lockdown period) and October-November 2020 (post-lockdown period). It was undertaken in six districts of Bihar, a state with a history of poor maternal and child health outcomes and dysfunctional delivery of health services. We find that dietary practices of women deteriorated, while that of children remained the same. The deterioration is less among households owning ration cards or having political contacts. The analysis suggests that, during pandemics or similar crisis periods, the need to supplement the supply of staple items through the Public Distribution System with a direct transfer of cash will allow households to maintain diversity in the consumption basket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]