The National Food Security Bill, 2011

v  The Bill proposes foodgrain entitlements for up to 75 percent of the rural

and up to 50 percent of the urban population.

v  Of these, at least 46 percent of the rural and 28 percent of the urban population will be designated as priority households. The rest will be designated as general households.

v  Priority households will be entitled to 7 kg of subsidised foodgrains per person per month.

v  General households will be entitled to at least 3 kg

v  The central government will determine the percentage of people in each state that will belong to the priority and general groups.

v  State governments will identify households that belong to these groups.

v  The Bill proposes meal entitlements to specific groups. These include: pregnant women and lactating mothers, children between the ages of six months and 14 years, malnourished children, disaster affected persons, and destitute, homeless and starving persons.

v  Grievance redressal mechanisms will be set up at the district, state, and central levels of government.

v  The Bill proposes reforms to the Targeted Public Distribution System.

Beneficiaries of NFSM

Priority Households                                                           :7 kg foodgrains per person per          month at Rs 3/kg for wheat, Rs 2/kg for rice, Rs 1/kg for coarse grains

General Households                                                          : At least 3 kg foodgrains per person per month at 50% of minimum support price (MSP)

Pregnant  and lactating mothers                        :Free meal during pregnancy and 6 months thereafter, and Rs 1000 per month for 6 months

Children, 6 months to 14 years               : Free meal at local anganwadi (6 months to 6 years); Mid-day meal at school (6 to 14 years)

Malnourished children                               :Free meals

Destitute persons                                     :One free meal per day

Homeless persons                                                 :Affordable meals at community                       kitchens

Starving persons                                        : Two free meals per day for 6 months

Emergency and disaster affected persons      :Two free meals per day for 3 months