National Food Security Bill, 2011

• 18/12/2011, the Cabinet cleared the National Food Security Bill, 2011.
• Draft will be presented for approval of the parliament in next session.
• People living below poverty line (BPL) has been termed as Priority Group(PG)/Priority Household(PH): PG/PH to be allotted 7 kg grain/month/person or 35kg grain/month/family, provided with Rice @ Rs. 3/kg, Wheat @ Rs.2/kg, Millets @ Rs.1/kg.
• The remaining of the targeted population (above poverty line) has been termed as General Group (GG): GG to be allotted @ 3kg/person/month at half of minimum support price given to farmers.
• Mid-day meal scheme and ICDS has been brought under the Bill.
• The target population is LEGALLY ENTITLED to cheap grain and millet.
• 63.5% of the total population will be covered as per the Bill out of whom 75% will be from rural area and 50% from urban area.
• 46% of the PG/PH in rural areas will be covered as proposed in the Bill, whereas for urban areas the same will be 28%.
• Lactating mothers will be given Rs. 1000 a month for 6 months and also nutritional support.
• Children up to the age of 14 years will get nutritional support.
• Persons residing in disaster-affected areas will get 2 free meals/day up to 3 months; non-compliance will attract penalty of Rs.5000 for the responsible public servant.
• The implementation of proposals contained in the said Bill will burden the Exchequer with an extra Rs. 27,973 crore a year.
• Annual food subsidy bill will go up from Rs. 67,000 crore to Rs. 94,973 Crore.
• Grain requirement will be 62 million tones.