(a) whether the Government proposes to implement the National Food Security Act in Lakshadweep and make it universal;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposal in this regard from the administration of the Union Terri- tory of Lakshadweep; and
(d) if so, the details and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)
(a) to (d): The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) extends to the whole of India including Lakshadweep. The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at the all India level, corresponding to which State-wise coverage has been determined by the Planning Commission for each State/ Union Territory (UT) including Lakshadweep. There is no proposal to make the coverage universal in Lakshadweep.
A request for allocation of foodgrains under NFSA was received from Lakshadweep Administration. Before implemen- tation of the Act, States/UTs are required to complete various preparatory activities and have to certify their preparedness to implement the Act. As per the status of preparedness reported by Lakshadweep Administration, they have not completed all the required activities. Accordingly, the Lakshadweep Administration has been requested to review their preparedness to implement the NFSA afresh and send a fresh proposal.