Question 81 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Current Affairs/ Schemes

Question

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'Below Poverty Line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidized food grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: -   **Identify Restrictive Statements**: Note that "BPL only" is too restrictive for NFSA, which covers a broader population. The statement regarding 1600 calories is inaccurate, as the Act focuses on meals and maternity benefits, not specific calorie-based rations.
-   **Confirm Accurate Provisions**: Recognize that the explicit mention of the eldest woman as the ration card head aligns with NFSA's gender-sensitive provisions.
-   **Eliminate Incorrect Options**: Based on the identified inaccuracies, statements 1 and 3 should be eliminated, affirming statement 2 as correct.

Key Info: ## National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, provides legal entitlement to subsidized foodgrains for approximately two-thirds of India's population. This includes up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.

### Key Provisions:

*   **Eligibility**: Not restricted to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families; inclusion criteria are determined by individual States/Union Territories.
*   **Household Headship**: The Act mandates that the eldest woman, aged 18 or above, shall be recognized as the head for ration cards, promoting women's empowerment.
*   **Maternity Benefits**: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to free meals at local anganwadi centers during pregnancy and up to six months post-childbirth, along with a maternity benefit of at least Rs. 6,000.
*   **Calorie Values**: The Act does not prescribe a fixed calorie value for take-home rations.
*   **Foodgrain Distribution**: The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) ensures the delivery of 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at subsidized rates.
*   **Additional Support**: The Act also includes provisions for children aged 6 months to 14 years, mechanisms for grievance redressal, and nutritional support.

The NFSA stands as a significant statutory measure for ensuring food and nutritional security, aligning with the Right to Life as interpreted under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 3 only