Minister for CA&PD, Ch. Zulfkar Ali informed the House that 74.13 lakh population of the State is being provided food grains at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 3 and Rs. 2 for rice and wheat respectively. He said that approximately 95% of the entire population of the State as per census 2011 comprising of 119.13 lakh souls are covered under NFSA.The Minister was replying to a question by Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar. He said that a uniform scale of 5 kg of food grains per soul is being provided. He said there is even distribution of ration @ scale 5 kg person per month instead of earlier uneven distribution irrespective to number of members in the family.He said that food grains are being provided as a matter of right and in case food grains are not provided there is a provision of food security allowance. He said that the eldest woman who is not less than 18 years shall be the head of household for the purpose of issuance of ration card under NFSA.
The Minister said that ePDS project for managing the supply chain management under e-governance mode is being implemented and under this system, Point of Sale devices will be installed at Fair price Shops / Government Sale Depots.The CA&PD Minister said that there is a robust grievance redressal mechanism under NFSA under which Deputy Commissioners are nominated as District Grievance Redressal Officers. He said that there is a provision of constitution of State Food Commission to redress the grievances of the beneficiaries.The Minister said that the State was receiving 7.51 lakh MTs of food grains before implementation of NFSA and after migrating to the NFSA regime the state government shall receive the same quantity of ration.He further added that approximately 6.50 lakh souls of high income group will remain uncovered under NFSA as per inclusion / exclusion criteria.He said that the Department issued ration to migrants for the month of May on account and Department of Relief and Rehabilitation has been requested to provide funds on this account so that the department will purchase ration on OMSS rates.