Why in News?

• Recently, the Government announced its plan to provide free food grains to beneficiaries under the NFSA, 2013, as per their entitlement, for a year beginning January 2023.

Key Highlights

• The NFSA beneficiary will get free rations vis-à-vis ₹1/2/3 for coarse cereals, wheat etc. for 1 year.
• The government has discontinued the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) due to
  • Reduced food grain stock.
  • Increased economic costs.
• Under PMGKAY government provided additional rations free of cost to curb impact of Covid-19.

The NFSA,2013

• NFSA 2013, provides food and nutritional security to beneficiary households.
• Covers 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population.
• Eligibility→2 categories
  • Households under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
  • Priority Households (PHs) by State Governments.
• Key Provisions
  • 35kgs free food grains per month to each AAY household.
  • 5 Kgs subsidized food grains per person per month to PHs.
  • ₹6,000 Meal-maternity benefit to pregnant women and lactating mothers (during pregnancy+6 months post-delivery).
  • Food security allowance if non-supply of entitled food grains or meals.
  • Grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.