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Increasing the coverage under the National Food Security Act

Posted on August 26, 2022 by admin1  839

In Context

  • Recently, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to increase coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

More about the news

  • Supreme Court’s direction:
    • The apex court directed the Centre to re-determine coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) so that “more and more needy persons and citizens get the benefit”.
    • Supreme Court also noted that “Right to Food is a fundamental right available under Article 21 of the Constitution”.
    • eShram portal:
      • In the order, the court also directed States which were not able to register unorganised workers, including migrant labourers, in the eShram portal to do so within six weeks.
  • Government’s response:
    • The central government submitted that it has enabled the facility of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ in all the States/Union Territories covering about 80-crore NFSA beneficiaries.

Government’s recent efforts to increase coverage under National Food Security Act (NFSA):

  • One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC):
    • It was rolled out by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019.
    • Aim: 
      • To ensure hassle-free delivery of subsidised food grains to all migratory beneficiaries anywhere in the country through nation-wide portability under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
    • About:
      • It empowers all National Food Security Act (NFSA) migrant beneficiaries to access foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country by using their same/existing ration card with biometric authentication.
      • A card bearing 10 digit number will be issued to the complaint state’s BPL card holders which will be linked to the Aadhar database.
      • Electronic point of sale:
        • Beneficiaries can get their entitled foodgrains from any electronic point of sale (ePoS) enabled FPS in the country through portability.
    • MERA RATION mobile application: 
      • Another dimension under the ONORC plan is the ‘MERA RATION’ mobile application which has been rolled out to take maximum advantage of the ONORC plan.
      • The mobile app is providing a host of useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.
  • e-Shram Portal:
    • About: 
      • The portal was launched on August 26, 2021 under the Ministry of Labour & Employment. 
      • This portal will be a single-point reference to help authorities reach out to and track workers in the informal sector, and offer welfare in times of crisis. 
    • Aim: 
      • with the aim of creating a national database of unorganised workers (NDUW). 
    • e-Shram Card: 
      • Workers will be provided with an e-SHRAM card which will have a 12 digit unique number. 
      • The details of workers will also be shared by the state government and departments.

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.
  • Under-registration of existing portals:
    • The Union Labour Ministry has developed a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) portal and the eShram portal for registration of labourers spread over 400 occupations including in constructions, agriculture, fishing, dairy, self-employed and even ASHA and anganwadi workers. 
    • However, many States have achieved less than 50% registration. 
      • The court noted that Maharashtra has achieved only 36.97% of its workers, Tamil Nadu only 34.84%, Telangana only 34.90%, Gujarat merely 48.40% and Karnataka barely above 36%.

 

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), foodgrain is 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.
  • Coverage: 
    • The Act is currently being implemented in all 36 States/UTs and covers about 81.35 crore persons.

Ration Card

  • A Ration Card is a document issued under an order or authority of the State Government, as per the Public Distribution System, for the purchase of essential commodities from fair price shops.
  • It depends on the number of members in a family and the financial status of the applicant.

Source: TH

 
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