Consider the following statements about the National Food Security Act, 2013: 1. In case of non-supply of entitled food-grains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive food security allowance. 2. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to receive 15 kg of food-grains, per household, per month. 3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to meals, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, as well as maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The National Food Security Act, 2013

• The Act, inter alia, entitles upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized food-grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.

• Eligible households comprise priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households. Persons belonging to priority households are entitled to receive 5 kg of food-grains, per person, per month, at subsidized prices of Rs. 3/ Rs. 2/ Rs. 1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.

• AAY households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, are entitled to receive 35 kg of food-grains, per household, per month, @Rs. 3/ Rs. 2/ Rs. 1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.

• The Act also contains provisions for nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers, and children upto fourteen years of age. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to meals, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, as well as maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.

• In case of non-supply of entitled food-grains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive food security allowance. For effective implementation and monitoring, the Act also provides for setting up of grievance redressal mechanism at the District and State levels. Separate provisions have also been made for ensuring transparency and accountability.