No plan to amend food security law at present: Government

NEW DELHI: There is no proposal to amend the landmark food security law at present, Parliament was informed today.

The National Food Security Act ( NFSA) was passed in September 2013, but the law came into force on July 5 last year through Ordinance.

"There is no proposal to amend the National Food Security Act, 2013, at present," Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Patil Danve said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He also ruled out any plan to supply commodities other than foodgrains through public distribution system.

In reply to a separate query, Danve said: "There is no proposal to revisit the implementation of the National Food Security Act or any other food based scheme or role of states/union territories in their implementation, at present".

Under the food law, the eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at Rs 3,2,1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains, respectively.

The existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana ( AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month.

"Approximately 81.35 crore persons or about 16.57 crore households will be entitled to receive subsidised foodgrains under NFSA," Danve said.

So far, 11 states/UTs have started implementation of the food law. The Centre recently gave the remaining States/UTs three more months to implement the law.