Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 31
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) which aims to provide food and nutritional security at affordable prices to eligible beneficiaries was implemented in the state with effect from July 2016.
This was stated in Annual Administrative Report 2024-25 of the Food & Civil Supplies Department, which was tabled in the recent 6th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Under the scheme, the erstwhile BPL & APL were amalgamated and termed as Priority Household (PHH), the report stated.
Basing on the Census 2011, in line with the Central Government guidelines, a total no. of 2, 96, 379 PHH and 47,500 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries were identified which covers a total population of 12, 26, 235.
Initially, under the PHH scheme, each beneficiary is provided 5 Kgs of rice @ Rs.3 per Kg and under AAY scheme, each household is provided 35 Kgs of Rice @ Rs.3 per Kg.
However, as per GoI policy, the food grains under NFSA is being issued to the beneficiaries Free of Cost for another 5 years effective from January, 2024 till December, 2028 though the scale of entitlement remains the same, the report stated.
The monthly allocation of food grains from the Central pool under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) stands 76,321.10 Qtl (i.e. 59,696.10 Qtl of Rice under PHH and 16,625.00 Qtl of Rice under AAY).
As on, 1st Feb, 2025 there are 1860 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) (i.e. 1385 Rural and 475 Urban FPSs) in the State.
Further, the report stated that the department also monitors the availability of Essential Commodities in the open market and the market prices of 38 items are collected daily and submitted to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, GoI, for publishing in the National Price Bulletins and daily monitoring purposes.
As per the provision of the Ministry, 1 Kg of Sugar is allotted to the AAY Ration Card (RC) Holders @ Rs.22.45 per Kg.
Further, the report stated that the monthly allocation of Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) to the state is 80 KL.
District-wise and Sub-Division wise allocations are made by the Department for lifting and distribution to the consumers under the direct supervision and control of the concerned District Administration and Departmental Officials.
