The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is a law enacted in India in 2013 to ensure food security for all citizens of the country. The NFSA guarantees the supply of subsidized food grains to eligible households through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The objective of the act is to provide food security to the most vulnerable sections of the society, and to ensure that no one goes hungry.
Under the NFSA, the government of India guarantees that every eligible household will receive a minimum quantity of food grains at subsidized rates. The quantity and price of the grains vary for different categories of beneficiaries, such as priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households. The act also provides for the creation of State Food Commissions and District Grievance Redressal Officers to handle complaints related to the implementation of the act.
The NFSA has several benefits, including:
- Ensuring food security: The NFSA guarantees a minimum quantity of food grains to eligible households, ensuring that they have access to adequate food.
- Subsidized rates: The food grains provided under the NFSA are subsidized, making them affordable for low-income households.
- Reduced malnutrition: The act aims to reduce malnutrition by providing access to nutritious food grains.
- Empowering women: The act recognizes women as the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards, which can help in empowering women.
- Transparent system: The NFSA aims to make the PDS more transparent and efficient by using technology such as Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and electronic weighing machines.
Overall, the NFSA is a significant step towards reducing hunger and malnutrition in India and ensuring food security for all citizens.
