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

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.