Relevance: Sociology: Poverty, deprivation and inequalities. & G.S paper I: Society and social issues & G.S paper II: Government Schemes and policies for the vulnerable sections
Why In News?
Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution issued directions to States/UTs to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act 2013.
Background:
- The Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan benefits are for those people who are not secured under NFSA Act or Public Distribution System of States. Hence, the disabled people without proportions cards are likewise qualified to get benefits under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abbhiyan.
- Segment 10 of NFSA gives inclusion of people under Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
Key Highlights:
- The states have been directed to provide an entitled quota of foodgrains to eligible disabled persons under the NFSA and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
- They have been directed to issue fresh ration cards to eligible disabled persons not covered under the NFSA.
- They have been asked to cover disabled persons who do not have ration cards under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package scheme.
About the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
- Under it, all state governments have to identify households that are eligible for purchasing subsidized food grain from the Public Distribution System and provide them with ration cards.
- Under the NFSA, the central government distributes highly subsidised foodgrains to more than 81 crore beneficiaries in the country.
- Each beneficiary is entitled to 5 kg foodgrains at a rate of Rs 1-3 per kg.
- The act provides benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers. They are to be provided with maternity benefit of not less than Rs 6,000.
- The children up to 14 years of age are to be entitled to nutritious meals.
- There are provisions to set up grievance redressal mechanisms.
Important sections of the (NFSA), 2013-
- Section 38 of the Act mandates that the Central Government may from time to time give directions to the State Governments for effective implementation of the Act.
- The Section 10 of Act provides for coverage of persons under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana in accordance with the guidelines applicable to the scheme and the remaining households as priority households in accordance with such guidelines as the States Government may specify.
Objectives –
- The objective is to provide for food and nutritional security.
- The act entitled, highly subsidized food grains under PDS.
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana(PMGKY):
- The ₹1.7 Lakh Crore relief package named PMGKY–was announced by the Union government to alleviate the distress caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
- Initially, it was implemented for three months till June and later extended till November.
- Insurance cover– Insurance cover of Rs 50 Lakh per health worker fighting COVID-19 to be provided under Insurance Scheme
- Foodgrains to poor– 80 crore poor people will get 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month for the next three months
- Jhan Dhan account holders– 20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders to get Rs 500 per month for next three months
- Relief to Senior citizens– An ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 to 3 crore poor senior citizen, poor widows and poor disabled
- For Farmers– Government to front-load Rs 2,000 paid to farmers in the first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 8.7 crore farmers
- Construction workers-Central Government has given orders to State Governments to use Building and Construction Workers Welfare Fund to provide relief to Construction Workers.
- Wage-earners– Those earning below ₹15000/month in firms having less than 100 workers will receive 24% of their monthly wages into their PF accounts for the next three months.
About Antyodaya Anna Yojana:
- It is a part of NFSA (National Food Security Act) and the households under AAY are entitled to 35 Kg of foodgrains per month.
- It was launched by the NDA government on 25 December 2000 and first implemented in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
- Coverage: It covers the poorest of the poor families from amongst the BPL families covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System(TPDS) within the States.
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