Lok Sabha Question No. 991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Census used to Determine Coverage of NFSA
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS! FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTiON  NO.991 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26TH JULY, 2023

## CENSUS USED TO DETERMINE COVERAGE OF NFSA

## 991.  SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRiBUTiON 3qqttm qT=ia, um dk In#xfqq f+aor ;Ht be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the census population estimates that are currently being used to  determine  the  coverage of  NFSA;
- (b) the details of the last time that the coverage was adjusted upwards by the Central Government to  account for the  population increase since 201 I ;
- (c) whether the Government has finalized a timeline for the completion of the upcoming Census, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the other remedies for the under-coverage in the PDS on account of population increase since 2021, given that according to news reports the census is unlikely  to  be completed  by 2024;
- (e) whether the  Government is  cognizant that  according to  the population projections by the Census of India, roughly IO crore Indians are excluded from the PDS because of the delayed census, if so, the details in this regard; and
- (f) whether the  Centre has considered using projected population numbers (from the Census of India office) for 2023 because the 2021 census has not been conducted,  if so, the details  in this  regard?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to  (f): Section 9 of the National Food  Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) provides that  the percentage coverage under  the  Targeted Public Distribution System in  rural and urban areas for  each State shall be determined by the  Central Government and the total  number of persons to be covered in the State  shall  be calculated  on the  basis of the  population estimates as  per the census of which the  relevant figures have been published.  At  the  time  of  implementation of  NFSA, the  latest published figures of Census pertaining to the year 2011 was used to determine the coverage of all States/Union Territories (UTs).

The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to  81.35 crore  persons. Intent  of the  Government for conducting Census 2021 was  notified in Gazette of  India on 28th March, 2019. Due to  outbreak of  COVID-19 pandemic, the Census 2021 and the related field activities  stand postponed.

At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.,11 crore beneficiaries are identified by the States/UTs under the Act. Still, there is scope for identification of 1.24 crore additional beneficiaries under the Act by the State Governments. The Coverage under the Act is sufficient high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit.

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