Integrated Food Security Scheme

The new Integrated Food Security Scheme starting from January 1, 2023 will provide free food grains to 81.35 crore beneficiaries during the year 2023 under the Act-NFSA. The scheme will also ensure effective and equitable implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The new scheme aims to bring uniformity and clarity on food security under the National Food Security Act-NFSA at the beneficiary level.

Key points of the new scheme: -

• During the year 2023, free food grains will be provided to 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.
• The scheme will strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of access, affordability and availability of food grains to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
• Under the scheme, all National Food Security Act-NFSA beneficiaries of India i.e. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) for the next one year through a wide spread network of 5.33 lakh fair price shops across the country Will provide food grains to the people for free.
• The decision will strengthen the provisions of the National Food Security Act-NFSA, 2013 in terms of access, affordability and availability of food grains to the poor. The new integrated scheme will integrate two existing food subsidy schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
• This planning act applies effectively and uniformly to all government departments. The free foodgrains will ensure uniform implementation of portability under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) across the country and further strengthen this choice-based platform.
  
• The central government will bear food subsidy of over Rs 2 lakh crore for the year 2023.