Rules ready for Food Act, may get cabinet nod today

THE STATE CABINET IS EXPECTED TO GIVE ITS NOD TO THE PROPOSED RULES AT ITS MEETING HERE ON TUESDAY

LUCKNOW: The department of food and civil supply has prepared the rules required to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA) proposed to be rolled out in the state from November.

The state cabinet is expected to give its nod to the proposed rules at its meeting here on Tuesday.

“We have sent a proposal for the pre-publication of rules to the cabinet and once it accords the approval, the rules will be published in newspapers inviting suggestions and comments from all the stake holders,” a senior official told HT.

He said a month after the publication, the final rules will be framed before the act comes into force.

The proposed rules, among other things, seek to set up vigilance committees — one each at the state, district, block and village panchayat level. These committees will be responsible for keeping an eye on the distribution of food grains to eligible priority households and ensure there were no irregularities.

The rules also seek to set up a state food commission, ensure distribution of food grains to eligible families and impose penalty on the erring officials.

Section 40 of the NFSA empowers states to frame rules for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act.

“The state government may, by notification and subject to the condition of previous publication and consistent with this Act along with the rules made by the Central government, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act,” the Act states.

The NFSA, when in force, will cover around 70% of the state’s population with the priority households’ uniform entitlement of 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse grains per person at Rs 3, Rs 2 and Rs 1, respectively.