NFSA launched in state with immediate effect
SHILLONG: The state government on Tuesday announced the launch of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state with effect from this month with the beneficiaries set to get 5 kg rice and wheat per month at the rate of Rs 3 and Rs 2 per kg respectively per family, while the beneficiaries under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) will get 35 kg food grains per month.
The food and civil supplies minister Clement Marak told reporters that the allocation of food grains will start immediately as per NFSA, which has the provision for disbursement of subsidized food grains to nearly two thirds of the state pollution. Over 75% population (21,449,095 persons) in the entire state will avail subsidized rice and wheat and the break up is 50.87% (3,03,464 persons) in urban areas and 77.79% (18,45,631) in rural areas.
The food and civil supplies department has already received the allocation from the Centre.
The Minister said that at present only 14,977 AAY families were identified out of the targeted 70,200 families.
However, the fresh identification will be carried out soon.
Though the department is currently distributing the cards numbering 4,22,040 , all the districts have been told to conduct one more hearing for claims and objections for more coverage.
The quota for February will be released to the respective deputy commissioners and they will release the same to whole sellers and then to fair price shops, the Minister said
The distribution of food grains will be transparent as this will be monitored through computerization and a call centre will be set up for the citizens to lodge complaint by using the toll free number 1967.
As the beneficiaries are divided into AAY and Priority after doing away with BPL and APL, the monthly quota of rice for AAY is 448.53 tons and wheat is 75.70 tons, while the quota for the Priority beneficiaries is rice (8792.18 tons) and wheat (1483.86 tons).
While the food grains were sanctioned free of cost by the Centre, the state government will have to bear the administration charge which will come around 25% of the total expenditure.
According to the Minister, distribution of sugar and kerosene will continue as per the old system.
NFSA- Meghalaya scenario
Quota: 5 kg rice, wheat per month @ Rs 3 and
Rs 2 per kg respectively per family
For AAY: 35 kg food grains per month.
Total beneficiaries: 21,449,095
Urban areas: 3,03,464 persons
Rural areas: 18,45,631 persons