SWARAJ ABHIYAN-II Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In our judgment dated 11th May, 2016 we had adverted to the drought or the drought -like conditions prevailing in several parts of our country and had issued certain directions for compliance. In this judgment, we will deal with the prayer made by the petitioner Swaraj Abhiyan relating to the implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (for short 'the NFS Act'). Implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013

(2.) It is submitted by the petitioner that it is necessary to ensure food security to the persons affected by the drought. In this regard, the petitioner made four suggestions and they are:

(3.) The Union of India has explained in its response that in terms of Section 3 of the NFS Act the monthly entitlement of food grains is 5 kg per person for eligible households under 'priority' category and 35 per kg per family under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna for rice, wheat and coarse grains. Coverage under the NFS Act has been delinked from poverty estimates and is substantially above the percentage of population living below the poverty line. It is submitted that coverage under the NFS Act has to be determined by each State and the criteria for identification of priority households and their actual identification is the responsibility of the State Government. It is further stated that the State Government is expected to digitize the beneficiary database and also set up a 'grievance redressal mechanism'.