Food Act implemented without proper preparation: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General, in its audit report, has rapped the Centre for delay in implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and extending its rollout thrice without Parliament approval.

Details:

• The NFSA, which came into force from July 5, 2013, has been rolled out in 33 regions so far. The CAG has evaluated preparedness of 18 regions for implementation of the law in its audit report. In these states, only 51% of the eligible beneficiaries have been identified and 49% beneficiaries were yet to be identified in all states/UTs.
• CAG notes that states have not identified beneficiaries in a systematic manner and has blamed the Centre for failing to resolve the issues raised by states during the formulation phase and also after enactment of the law, which led to delay in implementation in several states and union territories.
• The delay in implementation of NFSA by non-implementing states/UTs is attributed to non-finalisation of a number of beneficiaries under the socio-economic caste census, lack of infrastructure facilities, insufficient funds and manpower.
• Also, most implementing states did not identify the poorest of the poor called Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households- beneficiaries as per the provisions of the NFSA, but used the old database for extending the benefits.
• To check anomalies in identification of beneficiaries, the CAG recommended that the Centre may issue, in consultation with state governments, guidelines on identification of beneficiaries to maintain transparency.
• It also said the Centre -''must assure itself of the actual beneficiaries by the states/UTs by following transparent processes before allowing them revised/enhanced entitlements.''
• NFSA aims to provide foodgrains to 81.34 crore beneficiaries at highly subsidised rate of Rs 1-3 per kg. The law seeks to bring about changes in PDS that suffered from several deficiencies.