<–2/”>a >The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people.WHO Defines Food security to exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Food security has three interlinked contents such as :-
Availability of food,
Access to food and
absorption of food.
Food security is a multidimensional concept covering even the micro level household food security,energy intakes and indicators of Malnutrition.
Major components of food security are:-
Production and Procurement
Storage
Distribution
National Food Security Mission
National Food Security Mission comprising rice, wheat and pulses to increase the production of rice by 10 million tons, wheat by 8 million tons and pulses by 2 million tons by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). The Mission is being continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of food grains of 25 million tons of food grains comprising of 10 million tons rice, 8 million tons of wheat, 4 million tons of pulses and 3 million tons of coarse Cereals by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) during the 12th Five Year Plan will have five components
(i) NFSM- Rice;
(ii) NFSM-Wheat;
(iii) NFSM-Pulses,
(iv) NFSM-Coarse cereals and
(v) NFSM-Commercial Crops.
National Food Security Act
Under National Food Security Act every person belonging to identified eligible households is entitled to receive 5 Kg of foodgrains per person per month at subsidized prices under TPDS. The existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 Kg of foodgrains per household per month. Foodgrains under TPDS under the Act will be made available at subsidized prices of Rs. 3/- and Rs. 2/- per Kg for rice and wheat respectively under priority category. 
Under NFSA, state governments are required to identify households to be covered under AAY and priority categories within a year from the commencement of NFSA and place the list of identified eligible households in the public domain
Under NFSA, computerization of TPDS operations has been taken up with the aim to improve the efficiency of the current system and to address various challenges such as leakages and diversion of foodgrains, fake and bogus ration cards, lack of transparency and weak grievance redressal mechanisms.,
The Food Security Act (FSA) is a landmark law that was passed in India in 2013. The Act aims to provide food and Nutrition security to all people in India, by ensuring that they have access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices. The FSA is one of the world’s largest food security programs, and it has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in India.
The FSA has several sub-topics, including eligibility, benefits, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and penalties.
Eligibility: The FSA defines who is eligible for food security benefits. To be eligible, a household must meet certain criteria, such as having a low income or being a member of a marginalized group. The FSA also specifies the number of people who are eligible for benefits based on the size of the household.
Benefits: The FSA specifies the benefits that are available to eligible people. The main benefit is a monthly ration of food grains, such as rice, wheat, and sugar. The FSA also provides benefits such as cooking gas subsidies, maternity benefits, and school meals.
Implementation: The FSA outlines how the benefits will be implemented. The Act provides for a national food security system, which is implemented by the central government and the state governments. The national food security system includes a Network of ration shops, which are the main points of distribution for food grains and other benefits.
Monitoring and evaluation: The FSA sets up a system for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Act. The system includes a national food security monitoring committee, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Act. The committee also has the power to recommend changes to the Act.
Penalties: The FSA specifies the penalties for violating the Act. The penalties include imprisonment and fines.
The FSA is a landmark law that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in India. It is important to understand the sub-topics of the Act in order to understand how it works and how it can be implemented effectively.
The FSA has been praised for its potential to reduce hunger and malnutrition in India. However, the Act has also been criticized for its implementation. Some critics have argued that the Act is not being implemented effectively, and that not enough people are benefiting from the program. Others have argued that the Act is too expensive, and that the government should focus on other priorities.
Despite the criticisms, the FSA is a significant step forward in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in India. The Act has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people, and it is important to ensure that it is implemented effectively.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about food security:
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What is food security?
Food security is a state in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. -
What are the causes of food insecurity?
There are many factors that can contribute to food insecurity, including POVERTY, Unemployment, low wages, lack of access to affordable healthy food, and limited transportation Options. -
What are the effects of food insecurity?
Food insecurity can have a negative impact on physical and mental Health, Education, and EMPLOYMENT. It can also lead to social isolation and stigma. -
What are the solutions to food insecurity?
There are many things that can be done to address food insecurity, including increasing access to affordable healthy food, providing job training and employment opportunities, and expanding access to healthcare. -
What is the role of government in addressing food insecurity?
The government plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity by providing programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and school meals. The government also funds research on food insecurity and works to develop policies that promote food security. -
What is the role of the private sector in addressing food insecurity?
The private sector also plays a role in addressing food insecurity by donating food, funding research, and developing innovative solutions to food insecurity. -
What can I do to help address food insecurity?
There are many things that you can do to help address food insecurity, including donating food, volunteering at a food bank, or advocating for policies that promote food security. -
What is the future of food security?
The future of food security is uncertain. The world’s Population is growing, and Climate change is making it more difficult to produce food. However, there are also many promising developments, such as new technologies that are making it possible to produce food more efficiently. The future of food security will depend on our ability to address the challenges we face and to take advantage of the opportunities that are available.
Sure. Here are some MCQs on the topics of food security, hunger, and malnutrition:
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Which of the following is not a goal of the Food and agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)?
(A) Eradicating hunger and malnutrition
(B) Increasing agricultural productivity
(C) Promoting Sustainable Development
(D) Reducing poverty -
According to the FAO, how many people in the world do not have enough food to eat?
(A) 800 million
(B) 1 billion
(C) 1.2 billion
(D) 1.5 billion -
Which of the following is not a major cause of hunger?
(A) Poverty
(B) Conflict
(C) Climate Change
(D) Overpopulation -
Which of the following is not a major effect of hunger?
(A) Death
(B) Disease
(C) Malnutrition
(D) Obesity -
Which of the following is not a major strategy for reducing hunger?
(A) Increasing food production
(B) Improving access to food
(C) Investing in education and health
(D) Reducing poverty -
Which of the following is not a major type of malnutrition?
(A) Undernutrition
(B) Overnutrition
(C) Micronutrient deficiency
(D) Obesity -
Which of the following is not a major cause of malnutrition?
(A) Poverty
(B) Inadequate diet
(C) Disease
(D) Overeating -
Which of the following is not a major effect of malnutrition?
(A) Death
(B) Disease
(C) Disability
(D) Obesity -
Which of the following is not a major strategy for reducing malnutrition?
(A) Increasing food production
(B) Improving access to food
(C) Investing in education and health
(D) Reducing poverty -
Which of the following is not a major goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
(A) Zero hunger
(B) Good health and well-being
(C) Quality education
(D) Decent work and economic Growth
I hope these questions were helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.