What is National Food Security Act, 2013?
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people.
Must read: What is food security and the measures taken to ensure it?
When was National Food Security Act, 2013 enacted?
It was enacted on 5 July 2013.
Must read: Role of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in providing access of food to the poor
Which schemes are included under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA 2013)?
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA 2013) converts into legal entitlements for existing food security programmes of the Government of India.
It includes the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services scheme and the Public Distribution System.
Further, the NFSA 2013 recognizes maternity entitlements.
The Midday Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme are universal in nature whereas the PDS will reach about two-thirds of the population.
What percentage of population is envisaged to be covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA)?
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), provides for coverage of 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population for receiving foodgrains at highly subsidized prices.
Must read: Salient features of Public Distribution System
What is the life-cycle approach as envisaged under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA)?
One of the guiding principles of the Act is its life-cycle approach wherein special provisions have been made for pregnant women and lactating mothers and children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years, by entitling them to receive nutritious meal free of cost through a widespread network of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, called Anganwadi Centres under ICDS scheme and also through schools under Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme.
Must read: Current food security system in India
What is the Central issue price under NFSA?
Foodgrains under NFSA were to be made available at subsidized prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively for an initial period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act (July 13, 2013).
Thereafter, prices were to be fixed by the Central Government from time to time, but not exceeding MSP. Government has decided from time to time to continue the above mentioned subsidized prices under NFSA.
In how many categories the households under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) have been divided?
Coverage under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) is under two categories – households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and remaining households as priority households.
While AAY households, which constitute poorest of the poor are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, priority households are entitled to 5 kg per person per month.
What are the responsibilities of Centre and State/UT Government under NFSA?
NFSA defines the joint responsibility of the Centre and State/UT Government.
The Centre is responsible for allocation of required foodgrains to States/UTs, transportation of foodgrains up to designated depots in each State/UT and providing central assistance to States/UTs for delivery of foodgrains from designated FCI godowns to the doorstep of the fair price shops (FPS).
The States/UTs are responsible for effective implementation of the Act, which inter-alia includes identification of eligible households, issuing ration cards to them, distribution of foodgrain entitlements to eligible households through fair price shops (FPS), issuance of licenses to Fair Price Shop dealers and their monitoring, setting up effective grievance redressal mechanism and necessary strengthening of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Which Article of the Indian Constitution may be interpreted to include the right to food?
Though the Indian Constitution does not have any explicit provision regarding right to food, the fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution may be interpreted to include right to live with human dignity, which may include the right to food and other basic necessities.
What is the basic concept of food security globally?
The basic concept of food security globally is to ensure that all people, at all times, should get access to the basic food for their active and healthy life and is characterized by availability, access, utilization and stability of food.
External link: https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/nfsa-act
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: UPSC 2018
1 . The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidized food grains.
2 . The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the
purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3 . Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer (b) ֍ Statement 1 is not correct: The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population. ֍ Statement 2 is correct: It provides that eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above is to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing of ration cards. ֍ Statement 3 is not correct: Besides meal to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, such women will also be entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.
