Volume 14 | Issue 5
Volume 14 | Issue 5
Volume 14 | Issue 5
Volume 14 | Issue 5
Volume 14 | Issue 5
It is essential to transition from the current inefficient, costly, and corruption-laden institutional frameworks to systems that ensure the transparent delivery and distribution of essential food grains at affordable rates. To address the ongoing issues of food security, the government has introduced various initiatives. In this context, the Government of India enacted the National Food Security Act in 2013, which aims to provide subsidized food to approximately two-thirds of the country's 1.2 billion population. This legislation is regarded as the largest experiment globally in distributing highly subsidized food through a "rights-based approach." The Act seeks to establish a legal entitlement to subsidized food grains for around 67 percent of the population. However, despite its potential benefits, the Act has faced significant criticism due to its reliance on a PDS that is perceived as highly inefficient. With global food grain prices on the rise, questions arise about the government's ability to provide subsidized food to 70 percent of the Indian population, especially under adverse climate conditions. In summary, while there is sufficient food availability, the persistent issue of food insecurity at the micro-level remains a significant challenge for India.