Published Paper Details:

The National Food Security Act, 2013 is being implemented in all the States/UTs, on an all-India basis. Out of maximum coverage of 81.35 crore, around 80.04 crore persons are covered under NFSA at present for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains. Coverage under the Act is under two categories - households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority households (PHH). The monthly entitlement of foodgrains is 5 kg per person for eligible households under 'priority' category and 35 kg per family for AAY households. Beneficiaries under the Act are entitled for subsidized foodgrains at `3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains for an initial period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act (July 5, 2013). Thereafter, prices were to be fixed by the Central Government from time to time, but not exceeding MSP. Government decided from time to time to continue the above-mentioned subsidized prices under NFSA. Central Government has now decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to the 81.35 crore NFSA beneficiaries i.e. AAY Families and PHH persons for one year from 01.01.2023 to 31.12.2023. The decision is taken to strengthen the provisions of NFSA in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability of entitled foodgrains for the poor and ensure effective and uniform implementation of National Food Security Act 2013 (ONE NATION-ONE PRICE-ONE RATION). The additional cost of making foodgrains free of cost to the NFSA beneficiaries will be borne by Government of India. Notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India on 30.12.2022.