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 subsidised 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?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) 2 only

• In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized foodgrains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. The coverage under NFSA has been delinked from poverty estimates. So, #1 is wrong.
• Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious "take home ration" of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months. So #3 is wrong.
• Thus, by elimination, we are left with correct answer B: only 2.