Centre to roll out new integrated food security
The New Integrated Food Security Scheme of the Central Government has started from 1 January 2023.
As per the decision taken by the Union Cabinet recently, under the new scheme, 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will be distributed free food grains during the year 2023.
The scheme will also ensure effective and equitable implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Two existing food subsidy schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution have been subsumed under the Integrated Food Security Scheme-
- Food subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the first National Food Security Act (NFSA),
- Second, food subsidy states for decentralized procurement, dealing with procurement, allocation and distribution of free food grains to states covered under the National Food Security Act.
One Nation One Ration Card: ONORC
- The free grain will ensure uniform implementation of portability under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) across the country and further strengthen this choice-based platform.
- The central government will bear food subsidy of over Rs 2 lakh crore for the year 2023.
- The objective of the new scheme is to bring uniformity and clarity on food security under the National Food Security Act-NFSA at the beneficiary level.
Source – PIB
