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In Context
- Recently, the Union government has named its new free foodgrain scheme under the National Food Security Act, 2013, as ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)’.
More about the scheme
- About:
- The new integrated food security scheme for providing free food grains to Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) & Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries, is rolled out from 1st January 2023.
- The integrated scheme is expected to strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability of foodgrains for the poor.
- Free foodgrains for 2023:
- Keeping in view welfare of the beneficiaries and in order to maintain uniformity across the States, free foodgrains will be provided under PMGKAY for the year 2023 to all PHH and AAY beneficiaries, as per entitlement under NFSA.
- Ministry:
- The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) along with state governments will look out for smooth roll out of the new scheme.
Different than Centre’s Covid-19 package
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What is Food security?
- It is access to enough food by all people at all times for an active and healthy life.
- Three Dimensions:
- Food availability,
- Food accessibility &
- Food affordability.
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
- About:
- It was enacted in July 2013.
- It gives legal entitlement to 67% of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas) to receive highly subsidized foodgrains.
- Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), foodgrains were sold at highly subsidized prices of Rs. 1/-, Rs. 2/- and Rs. 3/- per kg for nutri-cereals, wheat and rice respectively.
- Ministry:
- The Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution is the nodal ministry for implementing this Act.
- Eligibility:
- Under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act, the term “eligible households” comprises two categories
- Priority household category is entitled to 5 kg per person per month.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families are entitled to 35 kg per family per month.
- Under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act, the term “eligible households” comprises two categories
- Issues:
- Population figures and census:
- The coverage under the NFSA is still as per the population figures of 2011 census.
- The Union, in its affidavit, had stated in court that the Act required coverage to be updated as per the latest published census figures.
- However, the NFSA coverage cannot be determined as the 2021 census has been postponed indefinitely and no date has been notified.
- Due to the absence of the latest population figures, over 10 crore people were left outside the food security law’s protective umbrella without even ration cards.
- Population figures and census:
Government’s recent efforts to increase coverage under National Food Security Act (NFSA):
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Source: TH
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