National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is an act of the Parliament of India that was enacted in 2013. The primary objective of the NFSA is to provide food and nutritional security to the people of India by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices. The act aims to cover up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

Background

The concept of food security has been an integral part of India’s development agenda since independence. The NFSA was introduced to address the issues of hunger and malnutrition in the country. The act was first introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2011 and was passed by both houses of Parliament in 2013. The NFSA came into force on July 5, 2013, and was implemented in all states and union territories by 2016.

Key Features of the Act

• Coverage: The NFSA aims to cover up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under the TPDS. The beneficiaries are identified by the state governments based on the criteria set by the central government.
• Entitlements: Under the NFSA, each eligible individual is entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per month at subsidized prices. The prices are fixed at Rs. 3/kg for rice, Rs. 2/kg for wheat, and Rs. 1/kg for coarse grains.
• Women and Children: The NFSA gives special attention to the nutritional needs of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children below the age of 14 years. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a free meal during pregnancy and six months after childbirth, along with maternity benefits of Rs. 6,000. Children aged 6 months to 6 years are entitled to free age-appropriate meals.
• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The NFSA mandates the establishment of a grievance redressal mechanism at the district and state levels to address complaints and grievances related to the implementation of the act.

Implementation and Challenges

The implementation of the NFSA has faced several challenges, including:

• Identification of Beneficiaries: The identification of beneficiaries under the NFSA has been a major challenge for state governments. The criteria for identification vary from state to state, leading to exclusion and inclusion errors.
• Leakages and Diversion: The TPDS has been plagued by leakages and diversion of food grains, leading to the denial of benefits to the intended beneficiaries. The NFSA aims to address this issue by mandating the use of technology, such as biometric identification and computerized allocation of food grains.
• Quality of Food Grains: The quality of food grains distributed under the TPDS has been a concern. The NFSA mandates the distribution of quality food grains, but the implementation of this provision has been a challenge.
• Infrastructure: The implementation of the NFSA requires adequate infrastructure, including storage facilities and transportation networks. The lack of adequate infrastructure has been a major challenge in the implementation of the act.

Impact of the NFSA

Despite the challenges, the NFSA has had a significant impact on the food security and nutritional status of the people of India. Some of the key impacts of the act include:

• Reduction in Hunger: The NFSA has contributed to a reduction in hunger and malnutrition in the country. According to the Global Hunger Index, India’s rank improved from 102 in 2019 to 94 in 2020.
• Improved Access to Food: The NFSA has improved access to food for the poor and vulnerable sections of society. The act has ensured that these sections have access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices.
• Women and Child Nutrition: The NFSA has had a positive impact on the nutritional status of women and children. The act has ensured that pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children have access to free meals and maternity benefits.

The National Food Security Act is a landmark legislation that aims to address the issues of hunger and malnutrition in India. The act has had a significant impact on the food security and nutritional status of the people of India, particularly the poor and vulnerable sections of society. However, the implementation of the act has faced several challenges, including identification of beneficiaries, leakages and diversion of food grains, and lack of adequate infrastructure.