Govt seeks public views on Draft National Food Security Bill

New Delhi, Sept 14 (IBNS) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has sought comments from the public and all the concerned on Draft National Food Security Bill.

The draft Bill has been placed on the website of the Ministry viz. http://fcamin.nic.in .

The salient features of the bill include coverage upto 75% of rural population (with at least 46% as priority) and 50% of urban (with at least 28% as priority) households.

Proposed entitlement in the bill is 7 kg. of foodgrains per person, per month, for priority household at an issue price of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains respectively.

For general households it is 3 Kg at an issue price not exceeding 50% of Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat and coarse grains and derived MSP of rice.
Other provisions include legal right to take home ration/meal to women, children, special groups including destitute & homeless, emergency & disaster affected persons, persons living in starvation, a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism at District, State and National levels and transparency and accountability.

In pursuance of announcement by the President of India in her address to the Joint Session of Parliament on 4th June, 2009 to enact National Food Security Act to provide a statutory basis for a framework which assures food security for all and entitle by law, every BPL family to certain quantities foodgrains at subsidized prices.
Taking into consideration the recommendations of the National Advisory Council, the Expert Committee headed by Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister, and consultations with States, Central Ministries, experts and other stakeholders, the Department of Food and Public Distribution has prepared the Draft National Food Security Bill.