It aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately 2/3rdof India’s population i.e 75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas will be covered under TPDS, with uniform entitlement of 5 kg/person/month.
It converts the various existing food security schemes into legal entitlements (i.e.) from welfare based approach to rights based approach.
It includes the Midday Meal Scheme, ICDS scheme, the PDS and also recognizes maternity entitlements.
Under NFSA, each beneficiary is entitled to 5 kilograms of food grains per month at Rs. 3, Rs. 2, and Rs. 1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively. It has been decided by the Government to continue the above mentioned subsidized prices upto June, 2019.
Thereafter prices will be as fixed by the Central Government from time to time, not exceeding MSP.
However, the beneficiaries under Antyodaya Anna Yojana will keep receiving the 35 kg/household/month at same rates.
NFSA also guarantees age appropriate meal, free of charge through local anganwadi for children up to 6 months and one free meal for children in age group 6-14 years in schools.
Every pregnant and lactating mother is entitled to a free meal at the local anganwadi as well as maternity benefits of Rs.6,000 in installments.
These maternal benefits are not extended to Government employees, since other similar benefits are provided.
The identification of eligible households is left to state governments.
It also has provisions for food security allowance to entitled beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains/meals.
