Context:
Centre to extend Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (free ration scheme) for over 80 crore people for next five years.
About PMGKAY:
- Launched under section 3 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
- Different from the PMGKAY that was launched in 2020 as a pandemic relief measure.
- Aim – To provide rice, wheat, and coarse grains free of cost to families belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories.
- PHH are to be identified by State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them.
- AAY families are to be identified by States/ UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government.
- Subsumes 2 subsidy schemes of Department of Food & Public Distribution –
- Food Subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI)
- Food Subsidy for Decentralized Procurement (DCP)
- Implemented by – Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
- Benefits – free food to around 80 crores people, ensuring nutrition security, etc.
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
- Objective –
- To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach
- To ensure access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
- Coverage – Rural (75%) and Urban (50%) population under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- Eligibility –
- Priority Households to be covered under TPDS as per guidelines by the State government.
- Households covered under existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
- Important Provisions –
- 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at ₹3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
- The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
- Meal and maternity benefit of not less than ₹6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth.
- Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
