With Union government bringing the food security ordinance, Rajasthan is all set to implement the law from August 20. Nearly 76% of rural population and 54% of urbanites are expected to benefit from the new law.
In Rajasthan, 4.84 crore people are likely to be directly benefited from the proposed national food security Act, 2013. Out of this, the Act will cater to almost 3.96 crore people in rural Rajasthan and 92.29 lakh population in urban areas.
“The provisions of the Act are very clear. We initiated the process before hand to implement it. As per the orders from the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and CM Ashok Gehlot we will start implementing the act from August 20 onwards,” said Parsadi Lal Meena, minister, food & civil supplies.
As per the provisions, eligible households shall be entitled to foodgrains at a subsidised price not exceeding Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains for a period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act.
According to the proposed Act, the eldest woman of who is not less than 18 years, in every eligible household will be the head of the house for the purpose of issue of ration cards.
“The move is aimed at bringing woman empowerment. Giving overall responsibility to women will help in ensuring better management of the scheme at households,” said an official of food department.
The state governments will also have to set up an internal grievance redressal mechanism including call centres, help lines and nodal officers for effective resolution of grievances related to the distribution of food grains. Appointment and salary will have to be taken care by state government.
Government will implement the Act in two parts. “Our priority is to include that section of the population who do not posses the ration cards but are among the core targeted population. This includes nearly 30 tribes from the nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes,” said a senior official of food department.
Along with it the department is preparing detailed guidelines of those households who fall in above poverty line (APL) who are yet to be eligible under the Act. According to the law, every person belonging to priority households, identified by the state government shall be entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidised prices.
Law also seeks to constitute a food commission in every state for the monitoring and review of the implementation of this Act. “It would be a six-member committee consisting of at least two women members and one each from the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste categories. It may empower the weaker sections of the society,” added the official of food department.
Apart from monitoring, the commission would be empowered to give advice to the state government on effective implementation and hear appeals against orders of the district grievance redressal officer.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Food-security-act-to-be-implemented-in-Rajasthan-from-August-20/articleshow/21131782.cms