The National Food Security Act NFSA 2013 is a social welfare legislation introduced in India in 2013. It aims to provide food security to eligible beneficiaries by ensuring access to adequate food grains at subsidized prices. NFSA extends its coverage to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population through the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. The allocation of coverage under NFSA at the national level is based on the data from the NSS Household Consumption Survey for 2011-12.

The National Food Security Act UPSC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Agriculture under Science & Technology subject in the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus and is also essential for UPSC prelims.

In this article on the National Food Security Act UPSC, we shall study the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Its Responsibilities, NFSA Act 2013, its Obligations under NFSA, Rankings, and Criticism. The UPSC aspirants can also get help from Testbook's UPSC CSE Coaching to boost their UPSC exam preparation!

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About the National Food Security Act 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at ensuring food security for India's vast population. The National Food Security Act 2013, also known as the Right to Food Act, is an Indian Act of Parliament that aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's 1.4 billion people. It was signed into law on 12 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.

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• Ensuring food security for all citizens of India is the primary goal of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
• The NFSA aims to provide access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to the eligible population.
• The act seeks to improve the nutritional status of the population by providing essential food grains.
• The NFSA focuses on identifying and targeting the beneficiaries who are most in need of food assistance.
• The act aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition by ensuring that eligible households have access to an adequate quantity of food on a regular basis.

Responsibilities of NFSA

• Identifying eligible households for receiving food grains at subsidized rates.
• Ensuring the provision of food grains through a well-functioning public distribution system.
• Monitoring and ensuring transparency in the implementation of the act.
• Establishing a grievance redressal mechanism for addressing issues related to food security.

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National Food Security Act - Prime Features 

Study the article on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India here!

Beneficiaries under NFSA

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to provide subsidized food grains to ensure food and nutritional security for the nation's most underprivileged groups. The key beneficiaries under NFSA include families below the poverty line (BPL), who are entitled to receive food grains at highly subsidized rates. It also covers Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which represent the poorest of the poor and receive the highest level of food security support. 

Additionally, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to nutritious meals and maternity benefits. Children aged between 6 months and 14 years are also covered, receiving free meals through anganwadis and schools to promote healthy growth.

• Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
• Pregnant women and lactating mothers
• Children between the ages of 6 months and 14 years

Criteria for identification of beneficiaries under NFSA

• The NFSA aims to provide food security to the entire population of India. It covers both rural and urban areas, ensuring that no eligible person is left out.
• The act categorizes households into priority and general households. Priority households include households with no regular income, destitute, homeless, and those living in starvation or near-starvation conditions.
• The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme under the NFSA targets the poorest of the poor. It includes households headed by widows, disabled persons, and those with no non-disabled adult members.
• The state governments identify the eligible beneficiaries under the NFSA based on predefined criteria provided by the central government.
• The identification of beneficiaries takes into account various socio-economic indicators. This includes income, landholding, occupation, and social categories.

Also, Read the Causes of Poverty in India here!

Obligations under the National Food Security Act 2013

The National Food Security Act of 2013 places obligations on the Central and State Governments. To guarantee the right to food for suitable beneficiaries. It directs the provision of subsidized food grains and nutritional help for women and children. It also mandates the establishment of grievance redressal procedures to provide clarity and responsibility in food distribution.

State Governments Obligations

• Identification of eligible households and issuance of NFSA ration cards
• Ensuring food grain allocations and proper functioning of the public distribution system
• Implementing schemes related to maternal and child nutrition
• Setting up grievance redressal mechanisms at district and state levels

Central Government Obligations

• Allocation of food grains to states based on the identified beneficiaries
• Providing funds for transportation, handling, and margins for fair-price shop dealers
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of NFSA
• Ensuring transparency and accountability in the food distribution system

Local Authorities Obligations

• Supervising the functioning of fair-price shops
• Conducting regular social audits
• Assisting in the identification of beneficiaries and issuance of NFSA ration cards
• Addressing grievances and ensuring effective implementation of NFSA.

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State Ranking Index for NFSA

State Ranking Index for NFSA for 2022 in Special Category

State Ranking Index for NFSA for 2022 in General Category

Study the article on the World Food Programme (WFP) here.

Importance of Food Security

Food security is essential to guarantee that all people have common access to adequate, secure, and healthy food for a healthy life. It helps lessen hunger, helps economic stability, and boosts national development by enhancing productivity and public health.

• Food security is essential for human development as it ensures that individuals have access to nutritious food.
• Food security plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation. It provides a safety net for vulnerable populations. It reduces their dependence on expensive food sources.
• Food security helps in reducing the prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Food security promotes social stability by reducing the conflicts arising from food scarcity. It ensures that individuals and communities have a sense of stability and can focus on economic and social development.
• Adequate food security enhances economic productivity. It ensures that individuals have the nutrition necessary to engage in productive activities.

Criticism against the National Food Security Act 2013

One of the main criticisms of the NFSA is the challenge of effectively implementing its provisions. Inadequate infrastructure, logistical issues, and corruption can hinder the efficient delivery of food grains to the intended beneficiaries.

• There have been instances of exclusion errors. Deserving beneficiaries are left out of the system due to errors in identification. This can lead to genuine beneficiaries being deprived of their entitlements.
• The implementation of the NFSA places a significant financial burden on the government. The cost of procuring and distributing food grains can strain the fiscal resources of the government.
• Some critics argue that the NFSA's coverage is limited to households below the poverty line. This may leave out a substantial portion of the population who may still be vulnerable.

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