Jharkhand Food and Civil Supply Minister Saryu Roy today observed that the National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) will remain effective in Jharkhand with effect from July 1.
The Act provides subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people. It was made law on September 12, 2013,retroactive to July 5, 2013.The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA 2013) converts into legal entitlements for existing food security programmes of the Government of India. It includes the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services scheme and the Public Distribution System.
Further, the NFSA 2013 recognizes maternity entitlements. The Midday Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme are universal in nature whereas the PDS will reach about two-thirds of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas).
“We are trying to ensure that the implementation of the Act was done in a way that it maintains accountability and there is no leakage whatsoever”,said Roy while addressing a meeting with his counterpart of Karnataka Dinesh Gundu Rao and its officials who had come to meet him.
Roy said that the Act will be implemented in Jharkhand from July 1.He directed the officials of the Jharkhand government to take note of the works and actions taaken in this regard by Chattisgarh,karnataka and Bihar.
