‘Continued reliance’ on 2011 Census data may lead to exclusion of beneficiaries under Food Security Act: House panel

A Parliamentary Committee has asked the government to undertake a comprehensive and time-bound exercise to update the beneficiary database under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, stating that “continued reliance” on the 2011 Census for determining the coverage may lead to “exclusion of newly eligible and vulnerable households”. In its report presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the Standing Committee on Consumer, Food and Public Distribution said, “The Committee observe that the scheme currently covers about 80.56 crore beneficiaries against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore persons, indicating that around 0.79 crore eligible persons are yet to be identified and included under the scheme.” The committee is headed by DMK member Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. “The Committee are of the view that continued reliance on 2011 Census data for determining NFSA coverage may lead to exclusion of newly eligible and vulnerable households due to population growth, migration and socio-economic changes,” the report states. “The Committee, therefore, recommend that the Government, in coordination with the State/UT Governments, undertake a comprehensive and time-bound exercise to update the beneficiary database, intensify identification of the remaining 0.79 crore eligible persons and periodically revise the coverage limits in line with updated population estimates,” the report said. The NFSA was enacted by the then UPA government in 2013. It provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore. At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore population, only 80.56 crore beneficiaries are covered — leaving a scope for identification of 0.79 crore beneficiaries. Section 9 of NFSA, which deals with coverage of population under Targeted Public Distribution System, states: “The percentage coverage under the Targeted Public Distribution System in rural and urban areas for each State shall, subject to sub-section (2) of section 3, be determined by the Central Government and the total number of persons to be covered in such rural and urban areas of the State shall be calculated on the basis of the population estimates as per the census of which the relevant figures have been published.” While the Food Security law has provisions to make available foodgrains to beneficiaries at a subsidised rate — rice Rs 3/kg, wheat Rs 2/kg and coarse-cereals Rs 1/kg — the government has decided to provide free foodgrains to the NFSA beneficiaries. Under the NFSA, each Antyodaya Anna Yojana household is entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per month, and the priority households are entitled to 5 kg per person per month. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More