The National Food Security Act (NFSA), also known as Right to Food Act is considered historic legislation which was introduced with an aim to provide specific rights and entitlement to the underprivileged people of the country.
These rights are introduced to help underprivileged people to get proper nourishment and lead healthy lives. Launched in 2013, the National Food Security Act comprises a mid-day meal program, integrated service of child development, and a public system of food distribution. Moreover, under the implementation of the act, the government has allocated subsidized food grains to over two third of the underprivileged population of India.
The document referred to as the National Food Security Card, additionally known as the Food Security Ration Card, gives cardholders with right to important items like rice, sugar, fertilisers, kerosene, and LPG at decreased charges. Through the ‘One Nation One Ration’, cardholders can buy essentials from any ration shop. Furthermore, the card serves as a flexible file, serving as legitimate evidence of identity for each of the cardholder and their families.
What is NFSA in Ration Cards?
Benefits of National Food Security Card
- It will benefit approximately 81 crores beneficiaries by digitizing Ration Cards.
- This system allows all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or part food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through an existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner.
- With the ONORC, all the beneficiaries in one state can get the same fair rations in other states where the ration card was issued.
- The scheme will ensure food security of migrant laborers who move to other states to seek better job opportunities.
- It will improve the mechanism to identify fake/duplicate ration cards. It seeks to provide universal access to PDS food grains for migrant workers.
- Ration card portability will be achieved by implementing an IT-driven system that installs ePoS devices in each Fair Price Shop (FPS).
- The ONORC will also help achieve the target set under SDG 2: Ending hunger by 2030.
National Food Security Act, 1999
The National Food Security Act of 2013 plays an important role in ensuring fundamental human rights of Indian citizens as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
Pre-NFSA Situation: Public Distribution Systems
Before the NFSA, the government managed matters related to food through the Public Distribution System and the Targeted Public Distribution System.
NFSA Implementation
On July 4, 2013, the Union Cabinet accredited the National Food Security bill, marking a massive change. This legislative degree brought massive benefits to over sixty seven % of the population.
Primary Goal: UN’s Hunger Eradication Objective
The primary intention of the NFSA aligns with the United Nations’ worldwide agenda to remove hunger with the aid by 2030. Through its provisions, the NFSA targets to ensure meals security and address the broader right to live for the residents of India.
National Food Security Card Eligibility
- Households which are covered under provisions associated with Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
- Priority households mentioned under the clauses of the Targeted Public Distribution System or TPDS.
- As per the latest data released by the census, the population coverage is determined by the Central Government of India.
- As per the latest reports, National Food Security Act scheme is aimed for the 50% of the people residing in urban India and 75% of the people staying in rural parts of the country.
- The cost of foodgrains are set for a tenure of three years after which the rates of food grains set by the Central Government will change as per the ‘Minimum Support Price’ criteria.
- In case of the shortage of foodgrains, the beneficiaries will be compensated with a food security allowance which will be administered by providing cash to purchase food grains.
Security Allowance and Food Entitlements
- Under the NFSA, each month, the beneficiaries will get 5kg food grain per person.
- Under this scheme of AAY, the beneficiaries will get 35 kg food grains each month.
- The cost of the foodgrains are set for a period of three years after which the government will change the fixed rates as per the ‘Minimum Support Price’.
- The price of foodgrains is set maximum of Rs.2 per kg of wheat, Rs.3 per kg of rice, and Re.1 per kg of coarse foodgrains for three-year tenure.
- In case of the shortage of foodgrains, the households will be duly compensated with foodgrain security allowance which will be administered by providing cash to purchase foodgrains.
Special Facility to Women and Children
NFSA pays special emphasis to women and children by providing certain benefits to them. Given below are the principles of NFSA which aims to give special focus to women and children
- Pregnant and lactating women can get free meal at any time during their pregnancy and this facility is valid for six months after the birth of a child.
- Children aged between six months and six years can get meals free of cost. Apart from this, children who are aged between six years and 14 years can avail free meals under the mid day meal scheme at any government school.
Women Empowerment
This special act holds some rights which focus on women empowerment. The following are the steps taken for the women under this act:
- When it comes to the primary issuance of entitlement, the head of the family should be a woman.
- The head of the family should be at least 18 years of age. If this is not the case, the eldest male of the family will be considered as the head of the family.
Grievance Redressal
Under the Food Security Act of 2013, every Indian state is needed to create a system where they can address their grievances. People can register their grievances by getting in touch with nodal officers, helpline number, and call centers.
Documents required for the National Food Safety Card
- Application Form: A duly completed application form is required for registration.
- Aadhaar Proof: Submit the Aadhaar as officially identity card is mandatory.
- Proof of address: The application process require a proof of address, such as a rental agreement or electricity bill.
Features and Objectives of NFSA
- The main objective and aim of the food security act is help citizens of India to provide food grains on a regular basis.
- The act provides food and nutrition to the people at affordable prices which they can afford to purchase.
- The feature of NFSA has been added in the same clause which mentions food should be easily accessible by the people.
- The food security act is interrelated to the Constitution of India which provides rights to the Indian citizens to live lives with dignity and lead healthy lives by consuming adequate food.
TPDS Beneficiaries and Entitlements
The TPDS under the National Food Security Act offers the following entitlements to the beneficiaries as per different categories
Category of Beneficiary | Funds | Food Grains |
AAY | Rs.4.09 crores | 35 kg |
APL | Rs.18.04 crores | 15 kg to 35 kg |
BPL | Rs.43 crores | 35 kg |
Beneficiaries of the Targeted Public Distribution System
- AAY Beneficiaries – Beneficiaries who are under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme are those households which come below the poverty line. These households has the right to a Food Security Ration Card which include rural craftsmen, marginal farmers, slum dwellers, artisans, destitute individuals, landless laborers, etc.
- Below Poverty Line Households -BPL families have the right get the Food Security Ration cards.
- Above Poverty Line Households – Under this category, the eligible households can apply for APL ration card to receive subsidies in foodgrains.
FAQs
Who issues ration cards to eligible households?
Ration cards are issued by the Central Government of India.
Who are eligible for the scheme?
This scheme can be availed by to all eligible ration cardholders or beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
What are the categories of beneficiaries under NFSA?
The beneficiaries under NFSA are segmented into three categories namely, AAY, APL, BPL.
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