Context: National Food Security Act Reforms
The Union Government has released a draft amendment to the National Food Security Act, 2013, proposing to replace the household-based foodgrain entitlement under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana with a per-person entitlement.
National Food Security Act, 2013
The NFSA provides legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System.
Beneficiary Categories
1. Priority Households
- Entitlement: 5 kg per person per month
2. Antyodaya Anna Yojana
- Covers the poorest and most vulnerable households.
- Provides higher entitlement than Priority Households.
Current AAY System
Every AAY household receives 35 kg of foodgrains per month, irrespective of whether the family has 2 members or 8 members.
Proposed Change
Current System
- 35 kg per household per month
Proposed System
- 7 kg per person per month
- Subject to a maximum of 35 kg per household
Why Is the Change Proposed?
The aim is to remove intra-household inequity.
Larger families currently receive the same 35 kg as smaller families, which reduces per-person availability for larger households.
The proposed system gives a fairer per-person allocation while retaining the 35 kg ceiling.
Concerns
- Smaller AAY households may receive lower allocations.
- Experts have demanded inclusion of pulses and edible oil.
- Nutritional security may require more than cereals.
- Implementation must ensure no vulnerable household is worse off.
Targeted Public Distribution System
Foodgrains under NFSA are supplied through the Targeted Public Distribution System.
UPSC Value Addition
- Eldest woman of the household, aged 18 years or above, is recognised as the head of household for ration-card purposes.
- NFSA covers Priority Households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana households.
- NFSA is not limited only to Below Poverty Line families.
PYQ Link
Under NFSA:
- It is incorrect to say only BPL families are eligible.
- The eldest woman aged 18 years or above is treated as head of household for ration-card purposes.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to nutritional support, but not exactly in the form stated as “take-home ration of 1600 calories per day” in the PYQ framing.
