Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna:

An Initiative by Punjab Government

Source: The Indian Express

Context:

The Punjab Government has unveiled a new initiative to help those in need.

The following are some of the highlights of the new Scheme:

Beneficiaries can have food grains delivered to their homes through this programme.

Every individual recipient receives 5 kg wheat every month at a cost of Rs 2 per kg from the government.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 would provide funding for the initiative, which will benefit 1.43 lakh people, according to the Centre (comprising 36 lakh families).

Beneficiaries:

Beneficiaries of the state government's Atta-Dal Scheme, which is a modified version of the federal government's Food Security Act, would receive rations delivered to their homes.

The initiative will be entirely voluntary, and anyone who does not choose to stand in line outside fair pricing stores or ration depots will be able to take advantage of it.

It is estimated that the Atta-Dal plan has 1.54 crore individual beneficiaries (who are distributed among 43 lakh families) in Punjab.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed in 2013.

People should be able to live a dignified existence by ensuring that they have access to an appropriate quantity of high-quality food at affordable rates throughout their lives, according to the human life cycle approach.

The following are the main characteristics:

Affected populations and entitlements under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS):

The TDPS reaches 50 percent of the urban population and 75 percent of the rural population, with a consistent monthly entitlement of 5 kg of food per person. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, on the other hand, will continue to provide 35 kg of food grains per home each month to the lowest of the poor as part of its assistance programme (AAY).

Under the TPDS, food grains would be accessible at discounted rates of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains for a period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act, after which they will be subjected to periodic review.

Identification of Eligible Homes:

States/UTs are responsible for identifying eligible households in accordance with the TDPS defined for each state.

Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) programmes, children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers would be entitled to meals that meet the nutritional standards specified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Higher nutritional standards have been advised for malnourished children up to the age of six.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding would be eligible for a Rs. 6,000 maternity stipend.

Women's Empowerment:

For the purpose of issuing ration cards, the head of the family must be the eldest woman in the home who is 18 years or older.

Mechanism for Resolving Complaints:

There are grievance redressal mechanisms accessible at the district and state levels.

In addition, the Central Government will provide financial assistance to states to cover the costs of food grain transportation and handling as well as FPS dealers' margins. The Central Government will cover the costs of food grain transportation and handling within the state, as well as the FPS dealers' margins, as determined by the Central Government in accordance with the norms to be devised for this purpose.

Openness and Accountability:

 Provisions have been established to guarantee transparency and accountability, including the publication of information pertaining to PDS, the conduct of social audits, and the establishment of Vigilance Committees, among other things.

Food Security Allowance:

In the event that eligible food grains or meals are not supplied, there is a provision for the payment of a food security allowance to eligible recipients.

A penalty shall be imposed by the State Food Commission if a public worker or authority fails to comply with the remedies proposed by the District Grievance Redressal Officer, in accordance with the provisions of this section.