Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 30
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 from July 2016.
Under the scheme, the erstwhile BPL & APL were amalgamated and termed as Priority Household (PHH).
Basing on the census, in line with the Central Government guidelines a total number of 2,37,434 PHH and 47500 AAY beneficiaries were identified which covers a total population of 14,03,579.
This was stated in the Annual Administrative Report 2021- 2022 of the Department of Food & Civil Supply, Nagaland, tabled at the recently concluded 11th Session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) here.
Under the PHH scheme, each beneficiary is provided 5 kg of rice at Rs. 3 per kg and under AAY scheme, each household is provided 35 kgs of rice at Rs 3 per kg.
The report stated that monthly allocation of foodgrains from the central Pool under NFSA’ 2013 is 76321.10 Qtl (i.e. 59, 696.10 Qtl of Rice under PHH and 16,625.00 Qtl of rice under AAY.
As on March 1, 2022, there are 1679 Fair Price Shops (1369 Rural and 310 Urban FPSs) in the state.
Sugar: As per the provision of the Ministry, 1 kg of the PDS Sugar is allotted to the AAY Ration Card (RC) holders at Rs 22.454 per kg, the report stated.
SKO: The monthly allocation of Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) to the state is 705KL. 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/ Departmental officials, the report stated.
PMGKAY: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is an additional allocation of foodgrains to all the beneficiaries covered under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) free of cost with effect from May & June 2021- III phase; July to November 2021- IV Phase and from December 2021 to March 2022- V Phase.
The report stated that the scheme is a pro-poor initiative and as a part of economic response to COVID-19 to ameliorate the hardships faced by the poor due to economic disruption caused by Corona virus by providing additional foodgrains at 5 kg per person per month per household per month, free of cost, to all the beneficiaries (AAY and PHH) covered under TPDS as per provisions of NFSA and has been successfully implemented in all the districts of the state.
