Introduction-

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, marks a significant shift in India’s approach to food security by guaranteeing subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country’s population. This legislation aims to transition from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based one, ensuring that food security is viewed as a fundamental right. This blog will explore the impact of the NFSA on malnutrition and food insecurity in India, the implementation of the Act across various states, and the challenges encountered during its execution.

Impact of NFSA on Eliminating Hunger and Malnutrition-

1 Improved Hunger Outcomes: The availability of subsidized food grains has enhanced food security among the poor and underprivileged, contributing to better hunger outcomes.

2 Resilience Against Income Shocks: The coverage of two-thirds of the population under NFSA has provided a safety net against income shocks, helping the poor maintain access to essential food supplies.

3 Reduction in Child Stunting: The incidence of stunting in children under five years decreased from 47.8% in 2012 to 34.7% in 2019, reflecting better nutrition during critical growth periods.

4Monetary Compensation: Pregnant women and lactating mothers (PWLM) receive monetary compensation, allowing them to access healthier food options like fruits and vegetables, thus improving maternal nutrition.

5 Increased Breastfeeding: Awareness campaigns by ASHA workers have led to an increase in the number of infants exclusively breastfed from 11.2 million in 2012 to 13.9 million in 2019, promoting better infant health.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The number of women in reproductive age suffering from anemia grew from 165.6 million in 2012 to 175.6 million in 2019. Additionally, the prevalence of obesity among adults increased from 25.2 million in 2012 to 34.3 million in 2016, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to nutrition.

Implementation of NFSA by States-

The implementation of the NFSA varies across states, reflecting differences in governance and administrative efficiency The Index is based on three pillars:

  1. Coverage, Targeting, and Act Provisions: This pillar assesses the extent to which states have effectively covered the intended beneficiaries and adhered to the provisions of the NFSA.
  2. Delivery System: This evaluates the efficiency of the distribution system, including transportation and last-mile delivery of food grains to Fair Price Shops (FPS).
  3. Nutrition Initiatives: This pillar examines the states’ efforts in promoting nutritional security through various programs and interventions.

Challenges Faced by States in Implementing NFSA-

  1. Lack of Transparency: A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit in 2016 revealed that many states implemented the NFSA despite having spurious beneficiary lists, leading to wrongful distribution of benefits.
  2. Leakages in Public Distribution System (PDS): Leakages occur when food grains do not reach the intended beneficiaries due to pilferage during transportation, diversion at FPS to non-beneficiaries, and exclusion of entitled beneficiaries from the list.
  3. Inadequate Storage: The CAG audit also highlighted insufficient storage space for the allocated quantity of food grains, leading to spoilage and wastage.
  4. Quality of Food Grains: Beneficiaries often complain about the poor quality of food grains, which sometimes contain non-food particles like pebbles, making them less palatable and nutritious.

Ways to Increase the Effectiveness of NFSA-

To enhance the effectiveness of the NFSA, several measures can be implemented:

  1. Information Technology: Leveraging IT throughout the process, from acquisition to distribution of food grains, can improve efficiency..
  2. Improved Storage Facilities: Upgrading storage infrastructure to prevent spoilage and wastage of food grains is essential.
  3. Transparency and Accountability: Strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms to prevent leakages and ensure that benefits reach the rightful beneficiaries.
  4. Nutritional Security: Moving beyond food security to focus on nutritional security by incorporating diverse and nutritious food options in the PDS.

Conclusion-

The NFSA has revolutionized access to food grains in India, contributing to significant improvements in food security and nutrition. However, to achieve nutritional sufficiency, structural bottlenecks in the implementation process must be addressed through technological advancements and governance reforms. The focus should shift from mere food security to nutritional security, ensuring that every citizen has access to a balanced and healthy diet.