Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Food security is a fundamental human right, yet a significant portion of India’s population remains vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. Historically, India has faced recurring famines and food shortages, prompting the establishment of various welfare programs. The Public Distribution System (PDS), initiated in 1947, has been a cornerstone of the nation's food security efforts, evolving over time to address the specific needs of underprivileged, destitute, and malnourished populations. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, further solidified the legal framework for food security, aiming to provide subsidized food grains to a significant portion of the population. This answer will outline key schemes and their functionalities.
Historical Context and Evolution of Food Security Schemes
The initial PDS was primarily focused on urban areas. Over time, it expanded to rural areas and evolved with various phases – Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Essential Commodities (EC) Act. The NFSA, 2013, marked a significant shift towards universal coverage, although with varying levels of entitlement based on poverty lines.
Key Schemes for Providing Food Grains
1. Public Distribution System (PDS)
The PDS is the largest food security net in the world. It provides food grains at subsidized rates through Fair Price Shops (FPS). The NFSA mandates that the PDS should cover Priority Households (PHH) and Vulnerable Priority Households (VPH).
- Priority Households (PHH): Receive highly subsidized grains (rice at ₹3/kg, wheat at ₹2/kg, and millet at ₹1/kg).
- Vulnerable Priority Households (VPH): These are those not covered under PHH but are identified as vulnerable by the state governments.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, oversees the PDS.
2. National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
This Act guarantees a uniform entitlement of 5 kg of food grains per household per month. It aims to ensure that no one sleeps hungry. The Act also mandates the identification of eligible households and promotes transparency and accountability in the PDS.
Key Provisions:
- Entitlement to subsidized food grains
- Grievance redressal mechanism
- Time-bound delivery of food grains
- Transparency in operations
3. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
ICDS is a comprehensive program that addresses the holistic development of children under six years of age and pregnant/lactating mothers. It provides supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and preschool education. The 'Take Home Ration' (THR) component directly addresses malnutrition among children.
4. Annapurna Scheme
This scheme, launched in 2000, aims to provide 10 kg of food grains per month to the elderly (60 years and above) who do not have a ration card or are not covered under any other food security scheme. It is implemented by state governments with financial assistance from the central government.
5. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)
Introduced in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PM-GKAY provides free food grains (5 kg per family) to beneficiaries covered under the NFSA, irrespective of their priority status. It has been extended periodically and continues to be a vital support system for vulnerable populations.
Challenges and Reforms
Despite the various schemes, challenges persist:
- Leakage and Diversion: Food grains often get diverted due to corruption and inefficiencies in the supply chain.
- Inaccurate Identification of Beneficiaries: Exclusion and inclusion errors are common, leaving many eligible people out and including ineligible ones.
- Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate storage facilities and transportation infrastructure lead to spoilage and wastage.
- Lack of Awareness: Many beneficiaries are unaware of their entitlements and how to access them.
Reforms being implemented:
- Aadhaar Linking: Linking ration cards with Aadhaar aims to improve targeting and reduce leakage.
- Electronic Point of Sale (e-POS) Machines: These machines record transactions and help track the movement of food grains.
- Portability of Ration Cards: Allows beneficiaries to access food grains from any FPS across the country.
- Mission Karona: A nationwide campaign to improve the efficiency of the PDS.
| Scheme | Objective | Target Group | Food Grain Entitlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDS | Provide subsidized food grains | PHH & VPH | 5 kg/month (PHH), Variable (VPH) |
| NFSA | Legal framework for food security | Eligible households | 5 kg/month |
| ICDS | Holistic development of children & mothers | Children under 6 & pregnant/lactating mothers | Supplementary nutrition |
| Annapurna Scheme | Provide food grains to elderly | Elderly (60+) without ration card | 10 kg/month |
| PM-GKAY | Free food grains during crisis | NFSA beneficiaries | 5 kg/month |
Conclusion
The schemes discussed, particularly the PDS and NFSA, are crucial for ensuring food security for vulnerable populations in India. While significant progress has been made, persistent challenges related to leakage, inefficiency, and inclusion/exclusion errors need to be addressed. The ongoing reforms, including Aadhaar linking and the use of technology, hold promise for improving the effectiveness and transparency of these schemes. A continued focus on strengthening supply chain infrastructure, promoting awareness, and ensuring accountability are essential for achieving the goal of a hunger-free India.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.