TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Decision on the rate and criteria to be adopted for identification of beneficiaries for subsidised foodgrains by the States will be taken at a meeting of State Food Ministers on October 1 which will also discuss implementation of National Food Security Act.
Issue of fresh ration cards, doorstep delivery of foodgrains, setting up of Grievance Redressal Machinery at district and state levels, computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System, creation of scientific storage capacity at various level for timely delivery of foodgrains and opening of new Fair Price Shops will also be taken up during the deliberations. State Food Secretaries will meet on Sept 30, 2013 to set the agenda for the Ministers conference.
States have one year to implement the National Food Security Act that has evicted at least half of Goa’s population out of the subsidy scheme.
The meeting to be inaugurated by Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture and presided over by Prof KV Thomas, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will see discussion on measures to ensure more effective role of local bodies in the implementation of National Food Security Act, revamping of vigilance committees at various levels to keep a watch on distribution system, norms for identification of beneficiaries for distribution of sugar and kerosene under PDS.
Under the National Food Security Act the Center will provide financial assistance to states/UTs to meet the expenditure on intra-State transportation, handling and margins to be paid to FPS dealers. Senior officials of PMO, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Planning Commission will attend the meet.
The act makes separate entitlements for pregnant women and children, from 6 months of age and upto 14 years, and cover about 75% and 50% of rural and urban population under TPDS as a single category, with uniform entitlement of 5 kg per person per month. They will get rice, wheat and coarse grains at the prices of Rs 3/2/1 per kg.
Entitlement of existing AAY households will be 35 kgs per household per month under the Act. State-wise coverage will be determined by Central Government. But within the State, beneficiaries will be identified by the concerned state.
According to the Act, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to meals and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000. Children in the 6 months to 14 years age group are entitled to meals under ICDS and MDM schemes.
The Act provides that the eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above will be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing of ration cards.
The Central Government will provide assistance to States in meeting the expenditure incurred by them on transportation of foodgrains within the State, its handling and FPS dealers’ margin as per norms to be devised for this purpose.
Provision for food security allowance to entitled beneficiaries has been made in case of non-supply of foodgrains or meals. Penalty on public servant or authority will be imposed by the State Food Commission, in case of failure to comply with the relief recommended by the District Grievance Redressal Officer.
