Why in the news?

  • The government has removed nearly 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries under free ration scheme under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

  • Objective: To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
  • Coverage: It covers 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population.
  • Eligibility:
    • Priority Households are to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the State government.
    • Households covered under the existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
  • Provisions:
    • 5 Kg of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
    • The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kg of foodgrains per household per month.
    • Meal and maternity benefits of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after childbirth.
    • Meals for children up to 14 years of age.
    • Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
    • Setting up grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state levels.