Food Security Scheme: More Than 80 Crore People Would Receive Free Food Grain

On January 1, 2023, the ambitious new integrated food security program of the Modi government was introduced.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the central government would offer free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries starting on January 1, 2023, for one year. The plan would also guarantee the National Food Security Act's effective and uniform implementation (NFSA).

Before this, recipients of the NFSA received subsidized food grains at a rate of Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat, and Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains. The Center has decided that starting in 2023, the recipients would no longer pay for the food grains 

New central sector program

According to the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, the government is dedicated to upholding its promise and giving free food to the 81.35 billion people who are covered by the NFSA. The Cabinet decided to start a new Central Sector program to carry out the One Nation, One Price, One Ration vision.

NFSA beneficiaries

"Through a vast network of 5.33 lakh Fair Price Shops nationwide, the Government of India would offer free foodgrains to all NFSA beneficiaries, including Antyodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Household (PHH) individuals, for the upcoming year. The choice will make the NFSA, 2013's provisions stronger in terms of the availability, affordability, and accessibility of food grains for the underprivileged. The Department of Food and Public Distribution has two current food subsidy programs—a) Food Subsidy to FCI for NFSA and b) Food Subsidy for decentralized procurement states, which deal with the acquisition, distribution, and delivery of free foodgrains to the states under NFSA—will be merged into the new integrated program "According to the ministry's statement.