News highlights:
The Union Cabinet on Friday decided to provide free foodgrains to all 81 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for one year.
Key takeaway:
- The beneficiary families who used to pay ₹1 for coarse cereals, ₹2 for wheat and ₹3 for rice per kg will now get 35kg of foodgrains free for the next one year, and others will get 5kg for free in a month till December 2023.
- The Centre has estimated an additional amount of ₹2 lakh crore for the scheme.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013:
- About:
- The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, passed on July 5, 2013, represents a paradigm shift in food security, moving away from a welfare-based approach to one based on rights.
- 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.
- Salient Features:
- Coverage: The state-wise coverage was determined by the NITI Aayog based on the 2011-12 Household Consumption Expenditure survey of NSSO.
- Up to 75% of the rural and 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 to provide them with heavily subsidised food grains. The National Food Security Act of 2013 (NFSA) is being implemented throughout India’s States and UTs.
- Beneficiaries:
- Beneficiaries under 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.
- Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act fall into two categories:
- Objectives:
- 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.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and 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.
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.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu