NFSA amendments: 7 kg of foodgrains for a person, and maximum 35 kg for a household, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Union Food and Public Distribution Department has published a draft of proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
• The amendment proposes a new provision for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, entitling each person to 7 kg of foodgrains monthly.
• The maximum allocation for an AAY household will remain 35 kg per month, provided free of charge.
• Previously, AAY households received a fixed 35 kg, irrespective of the number of members.
• The public can submit comments on the draft amendments until July 13.

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Detailed Insights:

• The government's rationale for the amendment is to address inequities where smaller AAY households received higher per-capita entitlements than larger ones.
• The aim is to provide more rational foodgrain allocation and better align entitlements with nutritional requirements.
• Critics, including non-BJP-ruled states and activists, argue the amendment could decrease allocation for states with smaller family sizes, like Kerala.
• Concerns have been raised about a potential "North-South divide" in foodgrain allocation due to varying household sizes.
• Activists also highlight that the number of AAY families has not been revised due to delayed Census data, potentially excluding eligible beneficiaries.
• There is a demand from activists for an allocation of 14 kg per person and the inclusion of pulses and edible oil for the poorest.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: An Act of the Parliament of India that aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A government-sponsored scheme to provide highly subsidized food to the poorest of the poor families.