The National Food Security Act is considered a landmark legislation the Government of India passed in 2013. The Act covers food security provided to millions of people by getting enough food with affordability of consumption. The Act plays an important role in fighting hunger and malnutrition in the country, particularly in the vulnerable sections of society.
- It entitles two-thirds of the population to subsidized food grains as a legal right.
- Covers priority households under TPDS.
- Promotes nutritional support for pregnant women and children. Local procurement of food to boost the economy.
What is the National Food Security Act?
NFSA is a legislation on food security passed by the Government of India in 2013, ensuring food security to millions of citizens. It is mainly meant to ensure access by the people, the poor and the vulnerable in particular, to adequate quantities of food at reasonable prices. The act legally entitles close to two-thirds of India’s population to subsidized food grains. It guarantees access to subsidized food grains for eligible families under this act. The act targets 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, providing them food grains at minimal prices.
Salient Features of the National Food Security Act
The National Food Security Act entitles all eligible families to subsidized food grains, covering two-thirds of the country’s population. Some of its major features are targeted public distribution, nutrition support for women and children, and a strong grievance redressal mechanism. The National Food Security Act strives to ensure that not a single soul in this country goes to bed with feelings of hunger. Following are some of its key provisions:
Subsidized Food Grains
The act distributes food grains like rice, wheat, and coarse grains at a subsidized cost. As many as 5 kilograms of food grains are provided per person per month in the eligible families. The prices are pegged at Rs 3, Rs 2, and Re 1 per kilogram for rice, wheat, and coarse grains, correspondingly.
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
TPDS is the lifeline of NFSA, which targeted identification of priority households and delivery of food grains at subsidized prices. The system has helped the state distribute food items effectively and minimize the chances of food insecurity.
Maternity Benefit Scheme
The Act provides maternity benefits to the pregnant women and lactating mothers, besides providing them nutritious food, a cash benefit of Rs 6,000 for maternity care will be given. This is the way to ensure that mother and child get proper nutrition.
Nutritional Support to Children
Government and government-aided schools give free meals to children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years. This is a step towards fighting child malnutrition by ensuring proper nutritious intake of food in schools and Anganwadi.
Implementation of Act at Grassroots Level
Grass root level implementation is required to administer the National Food Security Act and ensure food security for all. This includes state-level distribution, identification of beneficiaries, procurement of grains at local levels, and a redressal mechanism for grievances. In this way, the food will be properly distributed and accessed. The National Food Security Act has some provisions to make sure that things are appropriately implemented at the grassroots level. For example,
State-Level Implementation
Identification of the eligible households and distribution of food grains shall be the responsibility of the respective states. They also undertake local procurement of food grains according to needs to ensure that farmers are benefited.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
A grievance redressal system has been included in the act for disposing grievances arising from the distribution of food grains. Setting up of grievance redressal officers at district level for speedy disposal of complaints is incorporated.
Food Security Allowance
However, the act has made provisions for food grains that the government cannot supply by giving an allowance to be used on food items. This ensures that in cases of breakdowns in supply chains, the nutrition need of families is partly covered.
Challenges in the National Food Security Act
Despite this ambitious undertaking, a host of challenges have beset the National Food Security Act:
- Identification of Beneficiaries: Actually, it is not easy to ensure that proper identification of eligible households, either excluding some or including those not targeted is done.
- Issues with Infrastructure: The distribution system needs strong infrastructure in the form of storing and delivering the food grains properly.
- Leakage and Corruption: Leakage in the distribution process as well as corruption can always act as a hindrance to the effectiveness of the act.
Conclusion
The National Food Security Act of India is cardinal legislation in the fight against hunger and malnutrition; it offers a legal entitlement to food grains with a view to creating a hunger-free nation. While there are challenges, proper implementation and monitoring may achieve the objectives of the act. Emphasizing affordable food grains, nutrition for vulnerable groups, and robust mechanisms for grievance redressal, the National Food Security Act becomes an important stride toward ensuring food security for all.
| National Food Security Act UPSC Notes |
| The National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate food at affordable prices. It covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System. The Act provides 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized rates of rice, wheat, and coarse grains. Priority households are identified based on criteria set by the state governments to receive food grain benefits under the Act. The NFSA includes provisions for maternity benefits, entitling pregnant women and lactating mothers to a cash allowance. Children aged 6 months to 14 years receive free meals through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal schemes. It ensures that eligible individuals have access to quality food grains by maintaining minimum nutritional standards. The Act empowers beneficiaries by providing legal entitlements, allowing them to demand food security as a right. |
