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5 kg of free food grains (wheat and rice) per month is provided only as a means to provide monthly sustenance to the poor.
However, unprivileged beneficiaries – those who own four-wheelers, have monthly income above the limit or are directors of companies – were included in the list under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
“Around 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries have been excluded from NFSA,” Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra told reporters here.
The secretary said the exercise has been done to ensure better targeting of the “right” beneficiaries.
Chopra said eligible beneficiaries are being added to the list by state governments.
Another senior official of the ministry said that the Department of Food and Public Distribution at the Center identified the ineligible beneficiaries. The list was shared with state governments for proper verification of beneficiaries and then removal if found ineligible.
The official said that these 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries have been removed in the last 4-5 months.
He said that many of these beneficiaries have passed away, and beneficiaries holding directorships in companies and owning four-wheelers have also been removed.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA), which was passed by Parliament in 2013, provides coverage for up to 75 per cent of the rural population and up to 50 per cent of the urban population.
It comprises about two-thirds of the country’s total population, which is 81.35 crore based on the 2011 census.
It is the responsibility of the state to identify the beneficiaries and issue their ration cards. Removal of ineligible beneficiaries and addition of eligible beneficiaries is a continuous process under the Act. The eligibility criteria are also being decided by the states.
Free food grains are being provided under two categories of beneficiaries – Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families and Priority Families (PHH). The Act entitles 35 kg of food grains per AAY family per month, while 5 kg of food grains per PHH person per month.
In July this year, the Center had informed Parliament that against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, states/UTs had identified only 80.56 crore persons and there was scope to identify 0.79 crore more beneficiaries under NFSA.
There are more than 19 crore ration card holders in the country while there are about 5 lakh ration shops (fair price shops) across all states and union territories.
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