The Chhattisgarh Government has made a provision of Rs4,700 crore for implementation of ‘Chief Minister Food and Nutrition Security scheme’ in the State Budget 2015-16. The Government had made a provision of Rs1.75 crore in the form of extension of ‘Core PDS’ for its ‘Meri Marzi Scheme.’
Chhattisgarh’s unique Public Distribution System (PDS) model has gram panchayats, co-operative societies and women's self help groups (SHGs) operating the fair price shops, officials stated. About 90% of the masses are covered under Food and Nutrition Security Act implemented in 2013.
Chhattisgarh’s PDS under Antyodaya and Priority families schemes provides 35 kg foodgrains at Rs1 per kilo. Since June 2014, single member category ration card-holders under destitutes segment are provided 10 kg foodgrains free of cost.
The State Government keeping in view nutrition security is providing -grams, pulses, sugar and Iodised salt. Antyodaya and Priority families get two kg salt free of cost, two kg grams at Rs5 per kilo in notified areas. In non-notified areas two kg pulses at the rate of Rs10 and one kg sugar at Rs13 are distributed.
Under Antyodaya scheme most backward Tribes-Baiga, Birhor, PahadiKorva, Kamar, Abhujmadias, families headed by single female, and serious, incurable patients-AIDS, Sickle cell anaemia, cancer, TB afflicted, families with old, dependent, and those families whose head is freed from bonded labour-are included under Antyodaya scheme.
landless labour families, small farmers upto five acres of land, unorganised labour like-barbers, shoe-makers, carpenters, washermen, rickshaw-pullers families, building construction labour -coolies and other menial workers, are included in the priority list.
It is interesting to note that Central Government also passed National Food Security Act 2013, which was implemented in January 2014. As per the Centre, 78.43 per cent ( Two crore) population is covered under the subsidised food scheme, but under Chhattisgarh Food Security Act 91 % (2.32 crore) population are getting benefits.
Under the Food and Nutrition Security Act, hostels, ashrams, and anganwadis are provided with subsidised foodgrains. About Rs3,844 crore 32 lakh is allocated in fiscal 2014-15 for the scheme. The ration shop owners are answerable to the consumers under the scheme.
Chhattisgarh’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has received all round praises for becoming a unique example for the country at the meeting of chief ministers with the Prime Minister in New Delhi last year, officials stated.