DIMAPUR — Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the state government has identified 237434 households with 1193922 beneficiaries of Priority Household (PHH) and 47500 households with 209657 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries.
This represents a total coverage of about 70.95% population of the state under NFSA which aim to provide food and nutritional security at free of cost to eligible beneficiaries. However, remaining 29.05% population of the state are not covered (As per 2011 census).
A DIPR report stated that the Department of Food and Civil Supplies has endeavoured to maximise coverage of non-NFSA beneficiaries (AAY & PHH) by streamlining tide over allocation.
It mentioned that the department has a total of 1852 fair price shops (FPS) in the state (urban areas-459 and rural areas-1342). Food grains (rice) under National Food Security Act, 2013 is being made free of cost only for PHH and AAY ration card holders (till December 2028 as per Gol directive).
It clarified that PHH and AAY food grains cannot be allocated to any other individuals or party.
It added that there is an additional allocation of food grains to protect annual average off take of last three years under normal TPDS as tide over allocation, which can be issued on payment at government approved rate to public by the government on need basis through the government appointed stockiest-cum-handling agent of the respective districts.
In compliance of the conditions provided at para 2(a) and (b) of MoCA, F&PD, Government of India, vide letter dated November 28, 2013, the state government has notified the following guidelines for distribution of the tide over foodgrain through TPDS.
1. The beneficiaries with annual income of 2.5 lakh and above, who are not covered under AAY and PHH scheme, will be covered from the allocation of tide over rice and issued General Household (GHH) ration card. As per the prescribed format of the Ministry, the GHH beneficiaries data should be digitised and ported in the department website for maintaining transparency and accountability in public distribution system.
2. The District Civil Supply Officer (DCSO), through the respective district administration should allot @5 kg rice per person as per the number of family members through fair price shop identified/ designated FPS (in urban areas) for handling only tide over rice and submit report to the director of Food and Civil Supplies, Dimapur every month.
3. The state government should keep some reserved quantity of rice out of the tide over allocation as ‘buffer stock’ to meet unforeseen eventualities/ natural calamities such as fire, flood, landslide, cyclone, drought, law and order situations, annual festivals etc. However, utilisation certificate from the stockist, duly countersigned by the concerned deputy commissioners and district civil supply officer would be required to be submitted to the Directorate of Food & Civil Supplies every month.
4. The issue price for tide over rice will be fixed by the department in consultation with the government, taking into account the CIP+ handling charges+ dealers commission + transportation charges + FPS automation charges.
5. Identification of GHH beneficiaries:
The eligibility criteria for identification of the GHH beneficiaries will be as under:
i. Any Indian citizen and indigenous inhabitant of the state of Nagaland, who are non NFSA beneficiaries (AAY & PHH) will be eligible for GHH ration card. If any household/ family is found in possession of more than one ration card, necessary appropriate action would be initiated as per relevant sections of law.
ii. The eldest female in the family, who is 18 years and above, will be the head of the family and the GHH ration card will be issued in her name.
iii. In the absence of eligible female in the family, the eldest male in the family will be the head of the family for the purpose of issue of ration card.
iv. The applicant should submit the details of the family in the prescribed format, duly certified and signed for approval of the authority and enrolment after cross verification with RCMS portal.
iv. Aadhaar number of all the members of the family, to be included in the ration card, should be submitted.
v. Mere submission of application would not entitle for grant of GHH card.
6. Procedure for availing or surrendering of GHH ration card:
i. Any person who wishes to be included under GHH should have to fill up the Form-I and submit to the respective district office.
ii. Family who wishes to change the head of the family shall fill up the Form-ll and submit to respective district office.
iii. Applicants who wish to change/correct beneficiary name(s) should fill up Form-IH and submit to the respective district office.
iv. Applicants who wish to delete name(s) should fill up the Form-IV and submit to the respective district office.
vi. Beneficiaries who wish to change the fair price shop and/or residential address should fill the Form-V and submit to the respective district office
vii. Beneficiaries who wish to surrender the GHH ration card should fill Form-VI and submit to the respective district office.