CM Joseph Vijay Urges PM Modi to Reconsider Food Security Act Changes!
CM Joseph Vijay Urges PM Modi to Reconsider Food Security Act Changes!
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay writes to PM Modi, urging a rethink on proposed Food Security Act amendments. Learn how these changes could impact 70 lakh vulnerable citizens in the state.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has formally appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Union government to retain the current provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The Chief Minister is strongly opposing a proposed amendment that he believes would significantly diminish food security for nearly 70 lakh of the state's most vulnerable citizens.
Currently, the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) guarantees 35 kilograms of foodgrains per month for every household, regardless of its size. However, the proposed amendment seeks to change this to an entitlement of 7 kilograms per person per month, while still imposing an overall ceiling of 35 kilograms per household. Chief Minister Vijay highlighted that while the Union government states this amendment aims to address intra-category inequities and align entitlements with nutritional requirements, its practical effect would be detrimental.
For Tamil Nadu, where the average family size is approximately 3.54 members, this amendment would mean a substantial reduction in the quantity of foodgrains reaching the poorest households. Mr. Vijay pointed out that the existing provision ensures a consistent supply for families, whereas the per-person model, even with a cap, would lead to less food for many.
The state currently has 18.64 lakh AAY ration cards, covering a staggering 69.26 lakh beneficiaries. These beneficiaries represent the most vulnerable sections of society, including families headed by widows, persons with disabilities, elderly individuals with no regular income, tribal families, landless agricultural labourers, daily wage earners, and those battling life-threatening illnesses. The Chief Minister emphasized that these are precisely the households the NFSA was originally designed to protect.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was circulated to the media, CM Vijay requested the Centre to reconsider the proposed changes to sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the National Food Security Act, 2013, arguing that the amendment, if passed without modification, would undermine the very purpose of the Act for a significant portion of Tamil Nadu's population.
