Food Security Bill 2013
The Food Security Bill seeks for “providing food and nutrition security in human life cycle by ensuring adequate quality and quantity of food at affordable prices”. The Bill extends to the whole of India and “shall be deemed to have come into force on the 5th day of July 2013”. The Indian National Food Security Bill, 2013 also Right to Food Bill, was signed into law September 12 2013. This law aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India 1.2 billion people. Under the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries are to be able to purchase 5 kilograms per eligible person per month of cereals at the following prices.
- Rice at 3 per kg
- Wheat at 2 per kg
- Coarse grains millet at 1 per kg
- Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain categories of children are eligible for daily free meals
Salient Features
- Seventy five percent of rural and 50 percent of the urban population are entitled for three years from enactment to five kg food grains per month.
- The states are responsible for determining eligibility.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months.
- Children 6 months to 14 years of age are to receive free hot meals or "take home rations".
- The central government will provide funds to states in case of short supplies of food grains.
- The current food grain allocation of the states will be protected by the central government for at least six months.
- The state governments will provide a food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of food grains.
- The Public Distribution System is to be reformed.
- The eldest woman in the household, 18 years or above, is the head of the household for the issuance of the ration card.
- There will be state- and district-level redress mechanisms.
- State Food Commissions will be formed for implementation and monitoring of the provisions of the Act.
Transparency and Grievance Redressal
- The Bill provides a two-tier grievance redressal structure District Grievance Redressal Officer DGRO State Food Commission.
Transparency Provisions
Mandatory Transparency Provisions in the Bill
- Periodic social audits of the PDS and other welfare schemes.
- End-to-End computerization of the PDS.
- Setting up vigilance committees at state, district, block and fair price shop levels to supervise all schemes under the act.
- Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain categories of children are eligible for daily free meals
District Grievance Redressal Officers
- DGROs shall be appointed by state governments for each district
Penalties and Compensation
- The Commissions will be having powers to impose penalties.
- If an order of the DGRO is not complied with, the concerned authority or officer can be fined up to Rs.5,000.
- If there is a non-availability of supplies, the persons would be granted a food security allowance by the State government