Report

The government informed a parliamentary standing committee that it cannot expand the roster for free monthly food assistance until the next population census is completed, despite the increasing population. As a result, many impoverished households remain excluded from the welfare system.

Food Ministry’s Response

In response to the committee’s questions, the food ministry revealed that about 7.9 million individuals remain uncovered by the public distribution system (PDS), despite qualifying based on the 2011 census data. The ministry explained that the 2011 census determined PDS coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and that any updates will depend on the upcoming census data.

Challenges in Implementing the NFSA

The Food Ministry clarified that it used the 2011 census data to establish coverage for all states and union territories during the implementation of the National Food Security Act. The ministry further stated, “Changes to the coverage under the NFSA can only occur once the new census data becomes available.” Passed in 2013, the NFSA ensures that food distribution reaches up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of urban residents, totaling 813 million people based on the 2011 census.

Current Coverage and Potential Beneficiaries

Currently, the PDS covers 805.6 million (80.56 crore) beneficiaries, out of the target of 813.5 million (81.35 crore). However, the ministry noted that they can still identify 7.9 million additional beneficiaries. The committee discussed these figures in the eighth report on grant demands for 2025-26, which it presented to both houses of Parliament.

Delay in Census and Its Impact

The decadal census, originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay in census data collection has affected the calculation of qualifying recipients for free food grains. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization highlighted that nearly 75% of individuals in India were unable to afford a nutritious diet in 2021, underscoring the need for robust food security measures.

Food Security Act Enforcement

The parliamentary committee expressed satisfaction with the consistent enforcement of the Food Security Act. The government has also implemented several reforms to strengthen the PDS. For 28 months, from April 2020 to December 2022, the government distributed nearly 111.8 million tonnes of food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The initiative cost approximately ₹3.91 lakh crore, as reported by the food ministry to the committee.

Source: Hindustan Times