Nueva Delhi: the president of the Parliamentary Party of Congress (CPP), Sonia Gandhi, on Monday asked the government to complete the population census as very early, saying that around 14 million people in the country are being deprived of benefits under the Food security law.
Speaking at Rajya Sabha during his first zero -hour intervention, Gandhi said the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Law (NFSA) are being identified according to the 2011 census instead of the most current population data.
Gandhi described the NFSA, introduced by the UPA government in September 2013, as a crucial initiative aimed at guaranteeing food and nutritional security for the country of the country of 140 million rupees. “The National Food Security Law (NFSA) presented by the UPA Government in September 2013 was a historical initiative aimed at guaranteeing food and nutritional security to the population of 140 million rupees of the country. This legislation plays a crucial role in the protection of millions of vulnerable homes, particularly during the COVID 19 crisis. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana“said the former president of Congress.
He also mentioned that the quota for the beneficiaries is still based on the 2011 census, which now has more than a decade. The NFSA provides coverage of up to 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population to receive highly subsidized food grains through the Public Distribution System (TPD) target. Based on the 2011 census, this is equivalent to approximately 81.35 million people.
Currently, the government provides 5 kg of free food grains per person per month under the Food Safety Law.
“For the first time in the history of independent India, the decenal census has been delayed for more than four years. It was originally scheduled for 2021, but there is still no clarity in when the census will take place,” Gandhi said.
He also noted that budget allocations suggest that the updated census is unlikely to be completed this year.
As a result, around 14 million eligible Indians do not receive the benefits to which they are entitled under the NFSA, Gandhi added.
“It is imperative that the government prioritizes the termination of the census as soon as possible and guarantees that all deserving persons receive the benefits guaranteed under NFSA. Food security is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right,” the former head of the set.
The government has extended the distribution of free food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for five more years, starting January 1, 2024.
The Parliament’s Budget Session began on January 31, with President Droupadi Murmu delivering the inaugural discourse.
The first part of the session will continue until February 13. The second part will meet again on March 10 and will conclude on April 4.
