National Food Security Act, 2013

WHY IN NEWS?

The prices of subsided foodgrains available through ration shops should be revised to lower the food subsidy bill, which has been mounting every year. The Economic Survey 2019-20 suggested that the rates of food grains under National Food Security Act needs to be revisited.

ABOUT NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, 2013

• The National Food Security Act was implemented in July 2013. Since then the food subsidy bill has increased from Rs 1.13 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1.71 lakh crore in 2018-19.
• The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
• The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
• The existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
• The Act also has a special focus on the nutritional support to women and children. Besides meal to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, such women will also be entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.
• Children upto 14 years of age will be entitled to nutritious meals as per the prescribed nutritional standards.
• In case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive food security allowance.
• The Act also contains provisions for setting up of grievance redressal mechanism at the District and State levels.
• Separate provisions have also been made in the Act for ensuring transparency and accountability.
• The Economic Survey 2019-20 also suggested to revisit the coverage of people benefiting from NFSA.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding National Food Security Act, 2013:
1.The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
2.The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question