Question : NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT

(a) the criteria evolved for inclusion/exclusion and actual identification of beneficiaries and the manner in which beneficiaries will be authenticated under the National Food Security Act (NFSA);

(b) whether the Government has assessed the requirement of foodgrains and storage space for its implementation along with the extent to which increased procurement is likely to contribute to price distortions in the international market;

(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the remedial steps taken in this regard;

(d) the details of the action plan formulated and the steps taken by the Government and other agencies to ensure proper and effective implementation of the NFSA; and

(e) the extent to which this scheme is likely to improve the standards of nutrition among the people, particularly the children and women in the country?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) of STARRED QUESTION NO. 343 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 18-02-2014 IN THE LOK SABHA

(a) The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) provides that within the State-wise number of persons determined for coverage under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), State Government shall identify the priority households in accordance with guidelines as State Governments may specify.

(b) & (c) The annual requirement of foodgrains for implementation of the NFSA is estimated at 614.3 lakh tons. The average annual procurement of wheat and rice during 2008-09 to 2012-13 has been 617.8 lakh tons. At the current levels of production and procurement of foodgrains, the requirements under NFSA are likely to be met domestically and no price distortion in international market is foreseen. A total storage capacity of 763.35 lakh tons is available with Food Corporation of India and State agencies, which is sufficient for storage of foodgrains in Central Pool stocks.

(d) The Act has deemed to have come into force on 05.07.2013. It inter alia provides for a period not exceeding 365 days after the commencement of the Act to the States/Union Territories (UTs) for identification of eligible households for receiving subsidized foodgrains under TPDS. Foodgrains under the Act has been allocated so far to 10 States/UTs, as per the progress in identification of beneficiaries reported by them. Rest of the States are at different levels of preparedness to implement the Act. These States are being persuaded to complete identification of households and other preparatory work within the stipulated time and begin implementation of the Act.

(e) The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under TPDS, thus covering about two-thirds of the population. Besides, there is a special focus in the Act on nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers and children upto 14 years of age. With these provisions, the Act is likely to ensure food and nutritional security to a large population of the country including women and children.