TURA: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday launched the National Food Security Mission under National Food Security Act, 2013 at Dakopgre, Tura.
The Chief Minister also distributed NFSA entitlement cards to the first few beneficiaries of the biggest food security programme, which will come into effect from October.
In his address the Chief Minister said that the programme is a promise made and fulfilled by the leadership of this nation which has been long-pending.
Under the programme, 77.79 per cent rural population and 50.87 per cent urban population will be covered based on the 2011 socio-economic census, he added.
He said that the launch of this programme was delayed because “we wanted to ensure that the most deserving population are not left out of this programme which is designed for the most needy.”
Earlier, the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, who chaired the programme briefly highlighted on the provisions of the Act.
It may be mentioned that National Food Security Act (NFSA) is an Act to provide food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices for people to live with dignity. Under NFSA, 2013, a total of 4.22 lakh has been identified as priority households in the State of Meghalaya and 72, 460 household in West Garo Hills district out of which 29,476 is in Tura Sardar Division and 41,984 in Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division.
According to the Act, every person belonging to priority households is entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices.