- The Department of Food and Public Distribution is responsible for the management of the food economy of the nation.
- The total storage capacity available for Central Pool foodgrains was 08 lakh MT (as on 31.03.2014).
- The total requirement of food grains for implementing the NFSA is estimated to be 612 lakh MT. Hence sufficient storage capacity is available for holding the required stocks.
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT
- The Government notified the National Food Security Act, (NFSA) 2013 in September, 2013, with the objective to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle.
- The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
- The Act also lays a special focus on the nutritional support to women and children.
MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME
- The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched on 15th August, 1995 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development with a view to enhance enrolment, retention, attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among students in primary schools, initially in 2408 blocks in the country.
- By the year 1997-98, the Scheme was introduced in all the blocks of the country.
- The Scheme presently covers students of Class I-VIII of Government and Government-aided schools, Education Guarantee Scheme/Alternative and Innovative Education Centres (EGS/ AIE).
- The Department of Food and Public Distribution makes allocation of annual requirement of food grains under the Scheme to the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development.
- Food Corporation of India (FCI) releases foodgrains to States/UTs at BPL rates as per allocation made by Department of School Education and Literacy.
WHEAT BASED NUTRITION PROGRAMME (WBNP)
- This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
- The food grains allotted under this Scheme are utilized by the States/UTs under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for providing nutritious/energy food to children below 6 years of age and expectant/ lactating women.
SUPPLY OF FOODGRAINS TO WELFARE INSTITUTIONS
- To meet the requirement of Welfare Institutions, viz., charitable institutions such as beggar homes, nari niketans and other similar welfare institutions not covered under TPDS or under any other Welfare Schemes, an additional allocation of foodgrains (rice and wheat) not exceeding 5% of the BPL allocation is made to States/UTs at BPL prices.
SCHEME FOR SUPPLY OF FOODGRAINS FOR SC/ST/OBC HOSTELS
- This scheme was introduced in October, 1994.
- Department of Food & Public Distribution is the nodal Department for the scheme.
- The residents of the hostels having 2/3rd students belonging to SC / ST/ OBC are eligible to get 15 kg food grains per resident per month.
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