Delay in census has deprived 14 crore of their benefits under NFSA: Sonia Gandhi

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Monday raised the issue of delay in Census in the Rajya Sabha. She said it has deprived 14 crore Indians of their rightful benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), adding that food security is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

"The National Food Security Act introduced by the UPA government in September 2013 was a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring food and nutritional security to the country's 140 crore population. This legislation plays a crucial role in protecting millions of vulnerable households, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis. It is this act that provides the basis for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana," She said.

"For the first time in independent history, the decennial census has been delayed by more than four years... Budget allocations reveal that the updated Census is unlikely to be conducted this year as well. Around 14 crore eligible Indians are thus being deprived of their rightful benefits under NFSA," Gandhi said.