The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has come down heavily on the Centre for delay in implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) even as it took exception that just 18 States/UTs reported to have started its implementation.
Only 51 per cent of the eligible beneficiaries had been identified and 49 per cent beneficiaries were yet to be identified in all States/UTs," the CAG said in the report tabled in Parliament on Friday.
The CAG has evaluated preparedness of 18 States/UTs for implementation of the law in its audit report. However, the NFSA — which came into force from July 5, 2013 — has been rolled out in 33 States/UTs so far.
Noting that States have not identified beneficiaries in a systematic manner, the CAG blamed the Centre for failing to resolve the issues raised by States during the formulation phase and also after enactment of the law, which led to delay in implementation in several States and union territories.
NFSA aims to provide foodgrains to 81.34 crore beneficiaries at highly subsidised rate of `1-3 per kg. The law seeks to bring about changes in PDS that suffered from several deficiencies.
It attributed the delay in implementation of NFSA by non-implementing States/UTs to non-finalisation of a number of beneficiaries under the socio-economic caste census, lack of infrastructure facilities, insufficient funds and manpower.
"As many of the States/UTs had not reported status of their preparedness, the Ministry extended the timeline for implementation of NFSA thrice. The extension of time schedule without the approval of Parliament as there was no enabling provision in NFSA was irregular," it said.
Most implementing States did not identify the poorest of the poor called Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households’ beneficiaries as per the provisions of the NFSA, but used the old database for extending the benefits, the CAG noted.
It suggested a suitable mechanism in place to ensure States comply with provisions of NFSA with regard to the grievance redressal mechanism and vigilance committees.
