National Food Security Act NFSA 2013

National Food Security Act NFSA 2013

Why in the News?

Government extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), a key initiative launched under NFSA, for another 5 years with effect from 1st January, 2024

Quick Facts

Purpose: To provide food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach

Type: Centrally sponsored scheme

Coverage: 67% of the country’s population (75% of the rural and 5o% of the urban population)

Identification of Household: Based on the NSS Household Consumption Survey data for 2011-12

Objective

A legal right to persons belonging to “eligible households” to receive food grains at subsidised price (called Central Issue Prices/CIPs) under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

Salient Features :

National Food Security Act Benefits:

Beneficiaries are provided subsidized Rice, wheat and coarse grains issued at Central Issue Price (CIP) of Rs.3, Rs.2 and Rs.1

National Food Security Act Categories of beneficiaries:

National Food Security Act Primary Households (PHHs)

5 Kgs of food grains per person per month.

National Food Security Act Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households

35 Kgs of food grains of family per month.

Additionaly, AAY households also receive 1 kg of sugar per family per month through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

The Central Government gives subsidy of Rs.18.50 per kg per month of sugar to AAY families of participating States.

States/UTs bear the distribution cost, including margin to dealers and retailers as well as the transportation cost.

Recently, the government approved extension of scheme of sugar subsidy for AAY families for two more years i.e., 31 March 2026.

National Food Security Act Life cycle approach:

Pregnant women and lactating mothers (PW&LM), and children (age group of 6 months to 14 years).

PW&LM are entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.

National Food Security Act Other Benefits :

Food Security Allowance: Given to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled food grains or meals.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Set up at the District and State levels.

Penalty on public servant or authority: Imposed by the State Food Commission, in case of failure to comply with the relief recommended by the District Grievance Redressal Officer.

Women Empowerment: Ration cards is issued in the name of the eldest woman of the household (of age 18 years or above)

National Food Security Act Joint responsibility of federal Governments:

Centre’s responsibility: Allocation and Transportation of foodgrains, assistance to States/UTs for delivery of food grains from FCI godowns to Fair Price Shop (FPS)

States ‘ responsibility: Effective implementation like identification of eligible households, issuing them ration card, etc.

National Food Security Act Key initiatives

National Food Security Act

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)

Free food grains to about 81.35 crore NFSA beneficiaries (i.e., AAY households and PHH beneficiaries is being provided for a period of five years

Benefits:

Free food to around 80 crores people, ensuring nutrition security, etc.

One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan:

To implement nation-wide portability of the ration cards issued by the States/UTs under the NFSA.

Benefits could be availed though biometric/Aadhaar authentication using their same/existing ration card issued under NFSA.

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)

Launched for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government – aided Schools from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Beneficiaries:

Children of pre-schools or Bal Vatika (before class I)

Children of classes I to VIII

Ministry of Education is the nodal implementing ministry.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana or PMMVY

It was launched in 2017 and in 2022 incorporated in Mission Shakti (umbrella scheme for safety, security and empowerment of women).

Minister of Women and Child Development is the nodal implementing ministry. It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM).

Beneficiaries:

PW&LM of at least 19 years of age in informal and unorganized sectors.

Benefits:

Conditional Maternity benefit of ₹ 5,000 for first living child of family.

Institutional delivery and incentive available Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) are also provided. Therefore, on an average, a woman gets ₹ 6000.

Support to girl child: Under PMMVY 2.0 incentive of ₹6,000 in a single instalment is provided following birth of the second girl child.

BharatNet Project Details