Since the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed in 2013, the per capita income of Indians has increased in real terms by 33.4%.
In an affidavit filed before the top court, the Union government said this rise in per capita income had lifted many households out of poverty.
In the last eight years since the NFSA was passed, the per capita income of the Indian population has grown by 33.4%. “A large number of households have moved up the income ladder and may no longer be as vulnerable as they were in 2013-14 due to the rise in per capita income,” the Centre says.
A migrant worker filed an affidavit seeking welfare measures.
On September 10, 2013, the government announced the National Food Security Act 2013. It’s meant to make food and nutrition security in a human life cycle approach by ensuring people have access to enough quality food at affordable prices to live a decent life.
Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), up to 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population can get subsidised food grains.
According to the Centre, the upper limit of 75 per cent for rural and 50 per cent for urban populations considered vulnerable in 2013-14 would have gone down a lot.
Non-eligible households in NFSA increase the government’s subsidy burden, it said.
In the last eight years, the government said about 4.7 crore ration cards had been added under NFSA.
NFSA has an overall national ceiling of 81.4 crore beneficiaries, but a few states still haven’t reached their state ceilings. 79.8 crore people are covered as of August 31. NFSA ceiling still leaves room for 1.6 crores Antyodaya Anna Yojana and priority households beneficiaries,” it said.
The top court had earlier asked the Centre to devise a mechanism so migrant workers can get food without ration cards since migrant workers play a vital role in building the nation.
Despite our development, citizens are dying of hunger, and modalities should be put in place to give rations to migrant workers.
In its order, the supreme court said the welfare schemes devised by the Centre must reach as many workers as possible, and the state governments have to help.
