The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, which was passed on July 5, 2013, represents a paradigm shift in the aspect of food security, moving away from a welfare-based approach to one based on rights. Up to 75% of the rural population, as well as 50% of the urban population, are legally entitled to receive subsidised foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System, according to the Act. Therefore, the Act covers almost two-thirds of the population in order to provide them with heavily subsidised foodgrains.
National Food Security Act
The National Food Security Act fall into two categories: Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, each of which is entitled to 35 kg of food grains each month (5 kg per person per month). Wheat costs Rs. 2 per kg, rice costs Rs. 3 per kg and coarse grains cost Rs. 1 per kg.
There has been no revision in the prices of the foodgrains in the Union Budget 2022. The PDS Issue prices of rice, wheat and coarse grains will continue to be sold at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg, respectively.
Check the current year Union Budget 2024.
- The Act was signed into law on 12th September 2013 retroactive to 5th July 2013.
- The Act is in line with Goal Two of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
- Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security.
- The aim is to ensure that everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life.
- Schemes such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), the Public Distribution System (PDS), and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are included under the Act.
- The Act is being implemented by all the States and the Union Territories.
Objective
To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life-cycle approach by guaranteeing access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices for people to live a life with dignity.
The Act provides for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to an adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices for people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Salient Features of the NFSA
The major features of the Act are described below:
- Coverage: The state-wise coverage was determined by the NITI Aayog based on the 2011-12 Household Consumption Expenditure survey of NSSO.
- The Act legally entitled up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- About two-thirds of the population, therefore, is covered under the Act to receive highly subsidized foodgrains.
- Entitlements: The food grains would be provided at highly subsidized prices under the Public Distribution System.
- The Act ensures nutritional support to women and children. Pregnant and lactating women would be entitled to nutritious meals, free of charge under the MDM and ICDS schemes.
- Children in the age group of 6-14 years would also be entitled to free nutritious meals under the MDM and ICDS schemes.
- Maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6000 is also provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- The Act also empowers women by identifying the eldest woman of the household as the head of the household to issue ration cards.
- The Central Government aids the States to meet the expenditure incurred by them on transportation of foodgrains within the State and also handles the Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margins according to the norms.
- There is a provision of a food security allowance to the beneficiaries in the event of non-supply of food grains.
- Transparency: Provisions have been made to disclose the records related to the PDS to ensure transparency.
Eligibility and Coverage
The NFSA defines the term eligible households through two significant categories:
- Households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- HousFamiliesmed as priority households under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
The Central Government determines the coverage of eligible households in rural and urban areas under the TPDS. This is based on the latest census figures collected by the Government. The entitlements of eligible household members would extend up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban populations.
The State Government is responsible for determining and identifying eligible households in the NFSA. Moreover, the State Government is required to frame guidelines and update the list depicting eligible households to be covered under the TPDS.
Who are the beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act?
he Act covers two-thirds of the entire population under two categories of beneficiaries:
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
- Priority Households (PHH)
- AAY households encompass the households headed by widows or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support.
- It usually takes into account the households of those below the poverty line too.
- It also includes support for women and children.
- NFSA gives the right to receive food grains at subsidized prices to people belonging to eligible households, i.e., the PHH. A major section of the ration cardholders in the priority sector comes under this category. This is an effort to alleviate poverty.
- The work of identification of eligible households within the coverage under TPDS determined for each state is to be done by the states and the UTs.
Food Entitlements
For Women and Children- The NFSA give specializes in nutritional support offered to women and children. Every pregnant and lactating woman is entitled to a meal free of cost through the local Anganwadi. This will apply to women during pregnancy and will last up until 6 months after childbirth. Additionally, the Central Government has prescribed offering INR 6,000 and more as maternity benefits through installments to such women.
The NFSA also ensures that every child up to the age of 14 is covered under the Act. The following are prescribed by the NFSA to fulfill the nutritional needs of a child:
- Children of ages between 6 months to 6 years are entitled to receive age-appropriate meals from their local Anganwadi.
- Children between 6 years to 14 years of age are entitled to receive one mid-day meal from the Government or Government schools.
Food Security Allowance-The NFSA ensures to offer individuals who suffer from food shortages or the non-supply of entitled quantities of meals or foodgrains Food Security Allowance from their State Government. This Allowance is to be paid to such individuals in the time and manner that is instructed by the Central Government itself.
Women Empowerment- In terms of Women Empowerment, the NFSA has prescribed the eldest woman (of 18 years of age, and above) of an eligible household to be the head of the household in order to issue a ration card for the said household. In cases where an eligible household has no women of the prescribed age but has a female member below the age of 18, the eldest male member of that household would be the head of the same in order to issue a ration card. However, the female member may be the head of the household for such ration cards when she attains the age of 18, instead of a male member.
State Food Commission
The NFSA has prescribed that every State Government is required to set up a State Food Commission. This Commission would monitor and review the implementation of the NFSA provisions in the concerned State. The Act prescribes the detailed composition and functions of the National Food Commission and the State Food Commission including the recruitments, services, salaries, and allowances of every member of the Commission.
Obligations of the Central Government
The following are the prescribed obligations of the Central Government:
- Procure food grains for the Central Pool.
- Allocate the required quantity of food grains for the States.
- Provide for transportation of foodgrains according to the designated depots in every State.
- Provide foodgrains with respect to entitlements to the State Governments at prices for individuals from eligible households.
- Create and maintain essential modern and scientific storage facilities at every level and in case of shortage of supply of foodgrains from the Central Pool to a State.
- Offer funds to meet the statutory obligations of the Government.
- Exercise power to make rules and issue directions occasionally to the State Governments concerning the implementation of the Act.
Obligations of the State Government
The following are the prescribed obligations of the State Government:
- Vested with the responsibility of implementing and monitoring the various schemes under the Act.
- Delivery of foodgrains from designated depots to eligible households and individuals in the State.
- Ensures actual delivery and supply of food grains to individuals of eligible households at subsidized prices.
- Ensure the efficient operation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- Create and maintain scientific storage facilities.
- Strengthen the capacities of the Fair Price Shops and State agencies.
- Responsible for the payment of food security allowance.
Penalty
The NFSA has the provision for levying penalties. However, the penalty should not exceed INR 5,000 and is required to be imposed on public servants or authorities by the State Food Commission if they are found guilty of not complying with the reliefs offered by the Act.
FAQs
What is the objective of the National Food Security Act, 2013?
The Act provides for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to an adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
What is the significance of Food Security in a Nation?
- It will boost the agricultural sector.
- A boost in the agricultural sector would result in more job opportunities, as agriculture is a labour-intensive sector. This would enhance economic growth and result in the reduction of poverty.
- Access to nutritious food would enhance the overall health of the public.
- Food security is also important for global security and stability of the Nation.
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