GS Question

The salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013 are as follows:

1. Coverage: The Act aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the Indian population, including priority households and eligible beneficiaries.

2. Entitlements: Every identified beneficiary is entitled to receive 5 kilograms of food grains per month at subsidized prices. The Act also mandates nutritional support to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children through schemes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid-Day Meal (MDM).

3. Targeting and Identification: The Act lays down transparent criteria for the identification of eligible households and beneficiaries. It includes provisions for the State government to conduct regular surveys and maintain a proper record of beneficiaries.

4. Food Grain Procurement and Storage: The government is responsible for procuring food grains from farmers at minimum support prices and maintaining adequate food storage facilities to distribute the grains effectively.

5. Grievance Redressal: The Act establishes a two-tier grievance redressal structure to address any complaints or grievances related to the distribution of food grains and related schemes.

The Food Security Bill has played a crucial role in mitigating hunger and malnutrition in India in several ways:

1. Improved Access to Food: The Act has expanded the coverage of subsidized food grains, ensuring that a significant proportion of the population has access to affordable and nutritious food.

2. Nutritional Support: The Act emphasizes the provision of nutritional support to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children. This has helped in reducing malnutrition and improving the health of pregnant women and children.

3. Price Stability: The Act provides price stability by guaranteeing subsidized food grains, which provides relief to economically disadvantaged sections of society and offers a buffer against volatile market prices.

4. Targeting and Transparency: The Act has implemented crucial measures to ensure transparency and accountability in targeting beneficiaries. This reduces the chances of exclusion errors and ensures that the benefits reach the intended population.

5. Awareness and Empowerment: The implementation of the Act has led to increased awareness about food entitlement programs and the rights of beneficiaries. This has empowered individuals to assert their rights and claim the benefits they are entitled to.

While the Act has made significant progress in addressing hunger and malnutrition, challenges like leakages, inefficiencies, and inadequate implementation still persist. Continuous efforts are required to improve the targeting of beneficiaries and the overall effectiveness of the Act to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India.