Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Food Security Act is not correct?
The Act is not being implemented in all the States/Union Territories.
Understanding the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 is a significant law passed by the Parliament of India. Its main aim is to provide food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices for people to live a life with dignity.
Analyzing Statements on the National Food Security Act
Let's carefully examine each statement provided in the options concerning the National Food Security Act:
- Statement 1: The Act was enacted in the year 2013.
This statement refers to the year the law was officially passed by the Parliament. Based on historical records and the name of the Act itself (National Food Security Act, 2013), the Act was indeed enacted in the year 2013. Therefore, this statement is correct. - Statement 2: The Act was rolled out in the year 2014.
While the Act was enacted in 2013, the actual implementation or 'rollout' across different states and Union Territories was a phased process. Many states started rolling out the Act's provisions in 2014 and subsequent years. So, while not every state completed its rollout in 2014, it was the year when significant progress was made in implementation across various parts of the country. This statement is largely considered correct in the context of initial implementation phases. - Statement 3: The Act legally entitles 67 percent of the population to receive highly subsidised food grains.
A key provision of the NFSA is its coverage. The Act aims to cover up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). On an All India basis, this aggregates to a coverage of up to 67% of the total population. Beneficiaries identified under NFSA receive food grains at highly subsidised prices (Rice at Rs 3 per kg, Wheat at Rs 2 per kg, and Coarse Grains at Re 1 per kg). Thus, this statement accurately reflects the intended coverage under the Act. This statement is correct. - Statement 4: The Act is not being implemented in all the States/Union Territories.
The National Food Security Act is a central law enacted by the Parliament. As per the constitutional framework of India, laws enacted by the Parliament are applicable and mandatory for all States and Union Territories to implement, unless specifically exempted or stated otherwise in the law itself. The NFSA mandates its implementation across the entire country. While the pace and efficiency of implementation might vary, the Act is legally binding and is being implemented in all States and Union Territories. Therefore, the statement that the Act is not being implemented in all States/Union Territories is incorrect.
Identifying the Incorrect Statement
Based on the analysis of each statement, the statement that is NOT correct with regard to the National Food Security Act is the one claiming that the Act is not being implemented in all the States/Union Territories.
| Statement | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Act enacted in 2013 | Correct | The Act's name includes the year 2013. |
| Act rolled out in 2014 | Correct (largely) | Significant rollout began in 2014, though phased. |
| Entitles 67% population to subsidised food grains | Correct | This is the aggregate national coverage target (75% rural, 50% urban). |
| Not implemented in all States/UTs | Incorrect | As a central Act, it is implemented across all States/UTs. |
Revision Table: Key Facts about NFSA 2013
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Year of Enactment | 2013 |
| Overall Coverage Target | Up to 67% of the population |
| Rural Coverage Target | Up to 75% of the rural population |
| Urban Coverage Target | Up to 50% of the urban population |
| Entitlement per person per month | 5 kg of food grains |
| Prices (per kg) | Rice: ₹3, Wheat: ₹2, Coarse Grains: ₹1 |
| Applicability | All States and Union Territories of India |
Additional Information: Importance of Food Security Act
The National Food Security Act, 2013, is a rights-based approach to food security. It converts existing food security programmes into legal entitlements. Besides subsidised food grains, the Act also includes provisions for nutritional support to women and children. For instance, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a meal and a maternity benefit of not less than ₹6,000. Children up to 14 years of age are entitled to nutritious meals under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal schemes. The Act also contains provisions for food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-delivery of entitled food grains.
The implementation of NFSA aims to ensure that vulnerable sections of the population have consistent access to sufficient food, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and improved nutritional outcomes across the country.
Similar Questions
Which one among the following motions cannot be made while introducing an ordinary Bill in the Parliament ?
The landmark Supreme Court judgment in the case Subhash Sharma v. Union of India (1991) refers to which one of the following basic features of the Constitution of India?
Which one of the following amendments to the Constitution of India has introduced reservations in education and in public employment for people from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society?
The category of ‘Overseas Citizens of India was entered in the Citizenship Act of India through an amendment in the year:
As per the Constitution of India, the Writ of Prohibition relates to an order:
1. issued against judicial and quasi-judicial authority.
2. to prohibit an inferior Court from proceeding in a particular case where it has no jurisdiction to try.
3. to restrain a person from holding a public office to which he is not entitled.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
According to B. R. Ambedkar, which one among the following Articles is the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution of India?
Which of the following statements with respect to the right to have a legal aid is/are correct?
1. Under the Constitution of India, it is given under the Directive Principles of State Policy.
2. It is the duty of the police to inform the nearest Legal Aid Committee immediately after the arrest of a person.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Who among the following filed the Writ Petition that led to the famous verdict of the Supreme Court of India recognising the Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right?
Through the Forty Second Amendment to the Constitution of India, which of the following was/were inserted into its Preamble?
1. Liberty of thought, expression and belief' was substituted by Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship'.
2. The expression Unity of the Nation' was substituted by Unity and Integrity of the Nation'.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
As per the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the States have jurisdiction over agricultural land in connection with which of the following subjects?
1. Taxes on agricultural income
2. Duties in respect of succession of agricultural land
3. Estate duty agricultural land in respect of Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Important Questions from Basics of Constitution
Which article of Indian constitution is related with Official language of the Union?
In which year was the Indian ‘Wildlife (Protection) Act’ implemented?
Which article of the Indian constitution was called the 'heart and soul' of the constitution by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?
In 1946, who among the following was made the interim president of the Indian Constituent Assembly ?
Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly of India?
