Q. 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?

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 only

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
  • The government has notified the National Food Security Act, 2013 on 10th September 2013.
  • The objective is to provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
  • Some of the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 are as follows:
    • The Act provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
    • It provides that the eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above is to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards.
    • 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 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.
    • Besides meals to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after childbirth, such women will also be entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.
    • The nutritional and feeding norms for supplementary nutrition are 500 calories and 12-15 grams of protein of children between the ages of 6 months to 6 years, 600 calories and 18-20 grams of protein to pregnant and nursing mothers and 800 calories and 20-25 gm. of protein to malnourished children.
    • Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
    • Village Committees will be established to keep a check on the progress and activities and to enable transparency.
    • A person is entitled to a ‘food security allowance’ in the case where the required food supplies were not handed over.