NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT 2013 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2/3 – Gov. policies/Economy)

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Context: During the discussion on the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, there was nervousness about guaranteeing food security through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Food Security Act 2013

Objective: The Act aims to provide food and nutritional security through access to quality food at affordable prices, ensuring a dignified life for all.
Coverage: It covers 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), serving 67% of the total population.
Eligibility: Priority Households as per state guidelines and households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana are eligible for benefits.
Public Distribution System (PDS): It evolved as a system of management of scarcity through distribution of foodgrains at affordable prices.

Impact of NFSA on PDS Coverage

Expansion of PDS: The NFSA 2013 expanded PDS coverage, aiming to reduce exclusion errors and decrease leakages in the system.

oIn 2011-12, before the NFSA was enacted, less than 50% of households had ration cards, and only about 40% of households received any benefits from the PDS.

PDS Access Growth (2004-05 to 2011-12): Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, PDS coverage improved significantly, particularly in States like Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Shortfall in NFSA Coverage: Despite improvements, the Centre has not fully met NFSA’s coverage mandate of 66%. Only 59% of people were reported to have access to PDS as NFSA beneficiaries.
Non-NFSA Beneficiaries in PDS: Of the 70% accessing PDS, only 57%-61% had NFSA ration cards; approximately 10% were non-NFSA beneficiaries.
Leakage Levels in 2022-23: It were low in States like Rajasthan (9%), Jharkhand (21%), and Uttar Pradesh (23%), all of which had previously struggled with high leakages.

Responsibility under NFSA

The Centre is tasked with allocating the required amount of foodgrains to States and Union Territories (UTs).
The Centre ensures the transportation of foodgrains to designated depots in each State/UT.
Central assistance is provided to States/UTs for delivering foodgrains from the depots to the Fair Price Shops (FPS).
States/UTs are required to set up grievance redressal mechanisms and strengthen the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) for efficient service delivery.

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