MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): A wide ranging process of consultation was held for preparation of the National Food
Security Act during which a large number of suggestions, including on identification of
beneficiaries, were received. Taking into consideration the suggestions received, the
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), notified on 10.09.2013, 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. The Act however provides that while
implementing provisions of the Act and scheme thereunder special focus be given to
the needs of vulnerable groups especially in remote areas, other areas which are
difficult to access, hilly and tribal areas, for ensuring their food security.
(b): A Conference of Food Ministers and Food Secretaries of States/UTs was held in
New Delhi on 30th September and 1st October, 2013, to discuss various issues relating
to implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). In this conference,
various implementation related issues, including those raised by the States/UTs, were
discussed at length. These issues included evolving criteria for inclusion/exclusion
and actual identification of beneficiaries, issue of ration cards, door-step delivery
of foodgrains, setting up of Grievance Redressal Machinery at District and State Levels,
computerisation of TPDS, creation of scientific storage capacity at various levels and
assistance to States/UTs for meeting the expenditure on intra-State transportation,
handling and margins to be paid to fair price shop dealers. Recommendations of the
conference have been sent to States/UTs for necessary action.
(c): As per the State-wise coverage under TPDS and foodgrains entitlements prescribed
in the Act, allocation of foodgrains to 18 States/UTs is estimated to be lower than what
they receive under existing TPDS. To address this, it is already provided in the Act that
if annual allocation of foodgrains to any State under the Act is less than the average
annual offtake for last three years under normal TPDS, the same shall be protected.
(d): After examining the preparedness reported by States/UTs to implement the Act, allocation
of foodgrains under the Act has so far been made to Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
As reported by the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi, ration cards under NFSA have
incorporated provisions under the Act relating to per unit allocation and empowerment of women.
Government of Rajasthan has informed that women headed families will be identifiable through
stamping on their ration cards.
(e): Foodgrains are procured as per uniform specifications formulated by the Department of Food
and Public Distribution. During storage, scientific code of practices for their safe storage is
adopted. The storing agencies carry out regular inspections to monitor the quality. Instructions
are issued to Food Corporation of India and State Governments for proper storage and preservation
of foodgrains in storage from time to time.
(f): Besides entitlement to foodgrains under TPDS, the Act also provides for entitlements to
meal to pregnant women and lactating mothers and children upto fourteen years of age under the
Integrated Child Development Services and Mid Day Meal Schemes. The Act also provides for
maternity benefit of not less than rupees six thousand to pregnant women and lactating mothers
as per scheme to be framed by the Central Government.
