Explain the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and examine the public distribution system, as existing in the country.

Salient Features of the National Food Security Act, 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 is a landmark legislation aimed at ensuring food security for all citizens of India. It seeks to provide subsidized food grains to eligible households through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thereby addressing issues of hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity across the country.

1. Entitlements and Coverage:

The NFSA guarantees legal entitlements to subsidized food grains to identified beneficiaries. Key provisions include:

• Priority Households: Coverage extends to up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, with priority given to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, and destitute persons.

• Identification of Beneficiaries: States and Union Territories (UTs) are responsible for identifying eligible households based on specified criteria and guidelines, ensuring equitable distribution and targeting of food subsidies.

2. Food Grains Allocation and Subsidy:

• Grains Allocation: Eligible households are entitled to receive food grains at subsidized prices. The Act specifies quantities of food grains per person per month (5 kg per person per month for priority households and 35 kg per household per month for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households).

• Subsidized Prices: Food grains are provided at subsidized prices—₹3 per kg for rice, ₹2 per kg for wheat, and ₹1 per kg for coarse grains. These prices are fixed under the NFSA to ensure affordability for beneficiaries.

3. Reforms in Public Distribution System (PDS):

• Targeted Approach: The NFSA aims to strengthen the TPDS by focusing on targeting beneficiaries through Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and other mechanisms to minimize leakages and ensure transparency.

• Decentralized Procurement: It promotes decentralized procurement of food grains by states from farmers to enhance food security, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in grain management.

4. Maternity Benefits and Child Nutrition:

• Maternity Entitlements: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to maternity benefits, including nutritious meals and maternity allowance, to ensure proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.

• Nutritional Support to Children: Children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years are provided with free meals through anganwadi centers and schools under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) schemes.

Public Distribution System (PDS) in India

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the cornerstone of food security under the NFSA, facilitating the distribution of subsidized food grains to eligible households through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the country.

1. Functioning and Distribution Network:

• FPS Network: The PDS operates through a vast network of FPS, managed by state governments and authorized dealers. These shops distribute food grains at subsidized rates to registered beneficiaries.

• Role of States: States play a crucial role in the implementation of PDS, including procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution of food grains under the NFSA guidelines.

2. Challenges and Issues:

• Leakages and Corruption: Despite reforms, leakages and corruption remain significant challenges in the PDS, leading to diversion of subsidized grains meant for beneficiaries, especially in remote and marginalized areas.

• Identification and Exclusion Errors: Errors in beneficiary identification and inclusion/exclusion criteria pose challenges, affecting the effectiveness and reach of food security programs.

3. Reforms and Innovations:

• Aadhaar Integration: Aadhaar-based biometric authentication has been introduced to streamline beneficiary identification, reduce leakages, and ensure transparent delivery of food grains.

• Technology and Transparency: States are increasingly leveraging technology such as ePOS (electronic Point of Sale) devices and online monitoring systems to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in PDS operations.

Conclusion

The National Food Security Act, 2013 represents a significant step towards ensuring food security and nutrition for all citizens of India. By guaranteeing legal entitlements to subsidized food grains and reforming the PDS, the Act aims to address food insecurity, reduce malnutrition, and promote inclusive growth. However, challenges such as leakages, corruption, and implementation gaps necessitate continued efforts to strengthen the PDS, enhance transparency, and improve targeting mechanisms to achieve the Act's objectives effectively across the country.