(a) the details of the beneficiaries who receive highly subsidized foodgrain under the National Food Security Act (NFSA);
(b) whether the Government proposes to review the percentage of the beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Scheme in the country again;
(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to increase the number and percentage of beneficiaries in the country including Rajasthan; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)
(a): The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) is being implemented in all the States/UTs, on an all India basis with a targeted coverage of 81.35 crore persons. The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive highly subsidized foodgrains. Corresponding to the all India coverage of 75% and 50% in the rural and urban areas respectively, State-wise coverage under NFSA was determined by the erstwhile Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) using the population figures of 2011 Census and the National Sample Survey Household Consumption Survey data for 2011-12. Section 9 of the Act, also provides that the coverage under the Act is to be calculated on the basis of the population estimates as per the census of which the relevant figures have been published. Beneficiaries under the Act are covered under two household categories viz. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. Section 10 of the Act provides that within the number of persons determined for coverage under the Act, the State Government shall identify the households under AAY as per guidelines applicable to the said scheme and the remaining households as priority households to be covered under TPDS, in accordance with such guidelines as the State Government may specify.
(b) to (d): No proposal to revise the coverage under NFSA for any State/UT including Rajasthan is under consideration of the Government.
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