NFSA Introduction

National Food Security Act, 2013:-

The Haryana State Govt. has implemented the National Food Security Act, 2013 w.e.f 20^th August, 2013. The scheme under NFSA, 2013 is to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity food at affordable prices to the people to live a life with dignity. The scheme as per NFSA, 2013 classifies eligible into two categories namely:

1.Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households who are entitled to get 35/- kg. of foodgrains per month per family at highly subsidized rates of Rs. 1 to 3/- per kg. for coarse grains, wheat and rice respectively.

2.Priority households who are entitled to get 5 kg. foodgrains per unit/person of the family per month at the specified rates of Rs.2/-.

GOI has conveyed to the Haryana state regarding coverage of population under NFSA, 2013 as per SECC-2013, is as under:

Thus with the implementation NFSA, 2013 a total of 1,26,49,000 beneficiaries (49.89% of population) in Haryana are covered under TPDS. The State of Haryana is first to launch the National Food Security Act, 2013 w.e.f. August 20^th 2013.

The following Vigilance Committees have been constituted as per provisions contained in NFSA

1.VILLAGE/WARD LEVEL COMMITTEE

Vigilance Committees at Fair Price Shop level have been constituted during May, 2005 for urban and rural areas, the composition of which is as under:-

2.BLOCK LEVEL COMMITTEE

Block level Committee will comprise of five-six card holders attached to the FPS, local bodies, social workers of the area etc.The Block Level Committee will cover FPS in a block and report to the District Level Committee about the functioning of FPSs and other related problems.  The Chairman of the Vigilance Committee at Block Level may be elected head of the block level samiti.

3.DISTRICT LEVEL

Each District Level Committee will comprise of about 10 members from the different segments like beneficiaries groups, social/consumer organizations, people’s elected representative and the presided over the Zila Pramukh.  The Zila Pramukh has also been authorised to redress/solve the problems at his level to the maximum extent and whenever, it is not possible, he would refer the same with his recommendation to the State Level Committee.  Zila Pramukh may be the Chairman of the Vigilance Committee at the District Level Committee

4.State Vigilance Committee

In exercise of the powers conferred under Chapter-XI (Transparency and Accountability) of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and as per the details enumerated in clause 29, State Vigilance Committee have been constituted.

The State Vigilance Committee shall perform the following function:-

a). Regularly supervise the implementation of all schemes under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

b). Inform the District Grievance Redressal Officer, in writing, of any violation of the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

c).inform the District Grievance Redressal Officer, in writing, of any malpractice or misappropriation of funds found by it.

For above purposes, the State vigilance committee can nominate any officer/team of officers in Haryana in any Department/Board/Corporation as Inquiry Officer/Team.

5.District Grievance Redressal Officers (DRGOs)

In exercise of the powers conferred under Chapter-VII (Grievance Redressal Mechanism) of the National Food Security Act, 2013, the Governor of Haryana hereby designates all the Deputy Commissioners in their respective jurisdiction as District Grievance Redressal Officers (DGROs) for expeditious and effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to distribution of entitled foodgrains or meals under Chapter-II and to enforce the entitlement under of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

6.State Food Commission

The State Food Commission rescinded by the Govt. vide order dated 13^th January, 2015. However, the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh has stayed this order vide order dated 13^th January, 2015. Now the case is subjudice before the Hon’ble Court and fixed for hearing on 21.04.2015 before the Hon’ble High Court.

7.Women Empowerment

In exercise of the powers conferred under section 13(1) of Chapter-VI (Women Empowerment) of the National Food Security Act, 2013, the eldest woman of the family, who is not less than eighteen years of age, has been designated as head of the household in the Ration Card/Food Security Card only for the purpose of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

However, where a household at any time does not have a woman or a woman of eighteen years or above, but has a female member below the age of eighteen years, then, the eldest male member of the household shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issue of ration card/food security card and the female member, on attaining the age of eighteen years, shall become the head of the household for such ration card/food security card in place of such male member.