12 Jul 2022 State Ranking Index: NFSA
State Ranking Index: NFSA – Today Current Affairs
- Recently the first edition of State Ranking Index for National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was released.
Today Current Affairs
About index:
- This index seeks to document the status and progress of various reform initiatives and implementation of NFSA across the country in consultation with the states.
- It highlights the reforms undertaken by the states and union territories and creates a cross-learning environment and scale-up reform measures by all the states and union territories.
- The current index is largely focused on NFSA distribution and will include future procurement, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) distribution.
Assessment Basis : The Hindu Analysis
- The index for ranking of states and union territories has been constructed on three key pillars, covering end-to-end implementation of NFSA through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). These columns are:
- NFSA – Coverage, Targeting and Provisions of the Act
- Delivery Platform
- Nutritional Initiatives
State performance:
General Category States : The Hindu Analysis
- Odisha ranks first, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh at second and third positions respectively.
Special Category States : The Hindu Analysis
- Tripura ranks top among the Special Category States (North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and Island States).
- Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim are ranked second and third respectively.
Worst performing states : The Hindu Analysis
- Punjab, Haryana and Delhi are in the bottom five states.
Importance of Index : The Hindu Analysis
- The findings of the exercise show that most of the States and UTs have performed well in digitization, Aadhaar seeding and ePoS installation, which reiterates the strength and standards of the reforms.
- However, states and union territories may improve their performance in certain areas. Exercises such as streamlining and administering the functions of State Food Commissions in the States and Union Territories will further strengthen the true spirit of the Act.
- This will encourage healthy competition among the states to improve their performance.
Index related challenges : The Hindu Analysis
- It does not include projects and programs undertaken by other Ministries and Departments under NFSA.
- The index only reflects the efficiency of TPDS operations, it does not reflect the level of hunger, malnutrition or both in a given state or union territory.
Significance of Odisha Ranking : The Hindu Analysis
- Odisha in the year 2015 decided to adopt NFSA with strong end-to-end computerization for operation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in the state.
- The database of 25 crore digital beneficiaries has been made public and the data of 378 Ration Card Management System (RCMS) centres, 314 blocks and 64 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have been updated.
- In addition, 152 food storage facilities of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department have been fully automated, in which real-time electronic recording of 1.87 lakh metric tonnes of food grains has been sent to 12,133 fair price stores across the state. The Hindu Analysis
- One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) program launched across the state from July 2021.
- After its implementation, PDS beneficiaries can now choose any fair price ration shop or retailer of their choice and convenience to get food grains.
- About 1.10 lakh families are getting ration through inter-state facility and 533 families get ration every month through inter-state programme.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) : The Hindu Analysis
- Notified: September 10, 2013.
- Objective: It aims at providing food and nutritional security to the people by providing them adequate quantity of good quality food grains at affordable prices to lead a dignified life.
- Coverage: Providing subsidized food grains to 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- The National Food Security Act (NFSA) as a whole covers 67 percent of the total population of the country.
Eligibility : The Hindu Analysis
- Priority families covered under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), as per the guidelines of the State Government.
- Families covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
Provision : The Hindu Analysis
- Providing 5 kg of food grains per person per month, including rice at Rs.3 a kg, wheat at Rs.2 a kg and coarse grains at Rs.1 a kg.
- However, under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the existing 35 kg food grains per family per month will continue to be provided.
- There is a provision to provide maternity benefit of not less than Rs 6000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers in addition to food during pregnancy and for 6 months after the birth of the child.
- Meals for children up to 14 years of age.
- To give food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of food grains or food.
- Establishing a grievance redressal mechanism at the district and state level.
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