In News:A food-sufficient India needs to be hunger-free too
1.Evaluate the effectiveness of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, in addressing hunger and malnutrition in India. How can it be improved to ensure universal access to nutritious food for all citizens?
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 has been a significant legislative step towards addressing hunger and malnutrition in India.
Effectiveness of the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Key features of NFSA:
- It aims to provide subsidised food grains to two-thirds of the population (75% rural, 50% urban).
- Offers food grains at highly subsidised rates (Re. 1, Rs. 2, and Rs. 3 per kg for coarse grains, wheat, and rice respectively) under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- The act includes provisions for supplementary nutrition for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under six years through programs like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Positive outcomes
- Reduction in hunger: The NFSA has contributed to a decrease in hunger levels; India’s Global Hunger Index score improved from 38.9 in 2000 to 27.2 in 2020 .
- Improved Nutritional Status: Notable reductions in child stunting and underweight prevalence.
- Social justice: The NFSA has promoted social justice by providing a basic human right, namely the right to food, to a large section of the population.
- Reduced poverty: By providing a safety net against food insecurity, the NFSA has helped to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of people.
- Empowerment of women: Provides nutritional support specifically targeting women and children, thereby promoting gender equity.
Limitations:
- Nutritional quality: Focuses on caloric intake but neglects nutritional quality; high malnutrition persists.
- Implementation challenges: Issues such as leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS), inclusion/exclusion errors, and inadequate grievance redressal mechanisms hinder effective implementation.
- Outdated beneficiary data: The reliance on the 2011 Census for beneficiary identification has led to discrepancies, as population dynamics have changed significantly since then.
- Limited scope for non-cereal foods: Primarily focuses on cereals, neglecting other essential food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
- Regional disparities: Uneven implementation across states leads to disparities in access and benefits
Recommendations for improvement:
- Enhancing nutritional focus: The NFSA should incorporate guidelines for a diversified food basket that emphasises not just caloric intake but also essential nutrients to combat malnutrition effectively.
- Streamlining implementation: Strengthen PDS management to reduce leakages and ensure timely delivery of benefits.
- Regular updating of beneficiary lists:Implement a dynamic system for updating data to reflect current population needs.
- Integration with other schemes: The NFSA should be integrated with other welfare schemes to provide a holistic approach to food security that includes health care, education, and women’s empowerment initiatives.
- Public awareness campaigns: Increasing awareness about nutritional guidelines and healthy eating practices can empower beneficiaries to make informed dietary choices.
- Utilising technology: Leveraging technology for direct benefit transfers (DBT) to enhance transparency and efficiency in distribution.
By addressing these limitations, the NFSA can more effectively ensure universal access to nutritious food for all citizens in India, thereby making substantial progress toward eliminating hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
PYQ
- What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India? 2021
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