The Union Government named its emerging food grain scheme under the National Food Security Act 2013 as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Starting from January 1, 2023, a recently introduced consolidated food security program will distribute complimentary food grains to beneficiaries of the Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH).The consolidated program is anticipated to enhance the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, particularly in terms of making food grains more accessible, affordable, and available for the impoverished.

NFSA Background

The Union Government’s move to extend the free food grains scheme for the next five years is welcome as it will continue to provide food security to large sections of vulnerable people. Based on National Food Security Act (NFSA) entitlements, the scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), benefits about 80.4 crore people, under the categories of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (poorest of the poor) and priority household. They will continue to receive 5 kg of rice or wheat or coarse grains a person every month.

The primary objective of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 is to provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.

Coverage

• The Act provides coverage for nearly 2/3rd of the country’s total population, based on 2011 census estimates,
• 75% of rural and 50% of urban population is entitled to receive highly subsidized food grains under two categoris I.e, Antayodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and high priority households (PHH).
• The Act entitles 35kg of food grains as per Antayodaya Anna Yojana households per month, whereas 5kg of food grains to per priority households per person.
• The eldest woman of the beneficiary household (18 years or above) is considered ‘Head of Family’ for the purpose of issuing ration cards.

The government could explore ways to expand the reach of the scheme to cover more deserving individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind.