THE NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, 2013 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

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CHAPTER I  

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

PROVISIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY 

3.  Right  to  receive  foodgrains  at  subsidised  prices  by  persons  belonging  to  eligible  households 

under Targeted Public Distribution System. 

4.  Nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers. 
5.  Nutritional support to children. 
6.  Prevention and management of child malnutrition. 
7.  Implementation of schemes for realisation of entitlements. 

CHAPTER III 

FOOD SECURITY ALLOWANCE 

8.  Right to receive food security allowance in certain cases. 

CHAPTER IV 

IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS 

9.  Coverage of population under Targeted Public Distribution System. 
10.  State Government to prepare guidelines and to identify priority households. 
11.  Publication and display of list of eligible households. 

CHAPTER V 

REFORMS IN TARGETED PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

12.   Reforms in Targeted Public Distribution System. 

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CHAPTER VI 

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 

SECTIONS 

13.  Women of eighteen years of age or above to be head of household for purpose of issue of ration 

cards. 

CHAPTER VII 

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM 

14.  Internal grievance redressal mechanism. 
15.  District Grievance Redressal Officer. 
16.  State Food Commission. 
17.  Salary  and  allowances  of  Chairperson,  Member,  Member-Secretary  and  other  staff  of  State 

Commission. 

18.  Designation of any Commission or body to function as State Commission. 
19.  Joint State Food Commission. 
20.  Powers relating to inquiries. 
21.  Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of State Commission. 

CHAPTER VIII 

OBLIGATIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY 

22.  Central  Government  to  allocate  required  quantity  of  foodgrains  from  central  pool  to  State 

Governments. 

23.  Provisions for funds by Central Government to State Government in certain cases. 

CHAPTER IX 

OBLIGATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY 

24.  Implementation and monitoring of schemes for ensuring food security. 

CHAPTER X 

OBLIGATIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES 

25.  Implementation of Targeted Public Distribution System by local authority in their areas. 
26.  Obligations of local authority. 

CHAPTER XI 

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 

27.   Disclosure of records of Targeted Public Distribution System. 
28.  Conduct of social audit. 
29.  Setting up of Vigilance Committees. 

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CHAPTER XII 

PROVISIONS FOR ADVANCING FOOD SECURITY 

SECTIONS 

30.  Food security for people living in remote, hilly and tribal areas. 
31.  Steps to further advance food and nutritional security. 

CHAPTER XIII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

32.   Other welfare schemes. 
33.  Penalties. 
34.  Power to adjudicate. 
35.  Power to delegate by Central Government and State Government. 
36.  Act to have overriding effect. 
37.  Power to amend Schedules. 
38.  Power of Central Government to give directions. 
39.  Power of Central Government to make rules. 
40.  Power of State Government to make rules. 
41.  Transitory provisions for schemes, guidelines, etc. 
42.  Power to remove difficulties. 
43.  Utilisation of institutional mechanism for other purposes. 
44.  Force Majeure. 
45.  Repeal and savings. 
SCHEDULE I. 

SCHEDULE II. 

SCHEDULE III. 

SCHEDULE IV. 

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THE NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, 2013 

ACT NO. 20 OF 2013 

An  Act  to  provide  for  food  and  nutritional  security  in  human  life  cycle  approach,  by  ensuring 
access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with 
dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

[10th September, 2013.] 

CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the National Food Security 

Act, 2013. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India. 

(3) Save as otherwise provided, it shall be deemed to  have come into force on the 5th day of July, 

2013. 

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(1) "anganwadi" means a child care and development center   set up under the Integrated Child 
Development Services Scheme of the Central Government to render services covered under section 4, 
clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 5 and section 6; 

(2) "central pool" means the stock of food grains which is,— 

(i)  procured  by  the  Central  Government  and  the  State  Governments  through  minimum 

support price operations; 

(ii)  maintained  for  allocations  under  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System,  other  welfare  

schemes, including calamity relief and such other schemes; 

(iii) kept as reserves for schemes referred to in sub-clause (ii); 

(3)  "eligible  households"  means  households  covered  under  the  priority  households  and  the 

Antyodaya Anna Yojana referred to in sub-section (1) of section 3; 

(4) "fair price shop" means a shop which has been licensed to distribute essential commodities by 
an order issued under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), to the ration 
card holders under the Targeted Public Distribution System;  

(5)  "foodgrains"  means  rice,  wheat  or  coarse  grains  or  any  combination  thereof  conforming  to 

such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time; 

(6)  "food  security"  means  the  supply  of  the  entitled  quantity  of  foodgrains  and  meal  specified 

under Chapter II; 

(7)  "food  security  allowance"  means  the  amount  of  money  to  be  paid  by  the  concerned  State 

Government to the entitled persons under section 8; 

(8)  "local  authority"  includes  Panchayat,  municipality,  district  board,  cantonment  board,  town 
planning authority and in the States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura 
where Panchayats do not exist, the village council or committee or any other body, by whatever name 
called,  which  is  authorised  under  the  Constitution  or  any  law  for  the  time  being  in  force  for  self-

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governance or any other authority or body vested with the control and management of civic services, 
within a specified local area; 

(9)  "meal"  means  hot  cooked  or  pre-cooked  and  heated  before  its  service  meal  or  take  home 

ration, as may be prescribed by the Central Government; 

(10) "minimum support price" means the assured price announced by the Central Government at 
which foodgrains are procured from farmers by the Central Government and the State Governments 
and their agencies, for the central pool; 

(11)  "notification"  means  a  notification  issued  under  this  Act  and  published  in  the  Official 

Gazette; 

(12)  "other  welfare  schemes"  means  such  Government  schemes,  in  addition  to  the  Targeted 

Public Distribution System, under which foodgrains or meals are supplied as part of the schemes; 

(13)  "person  with  disability"  means  a  person  defined  as  such  in  clause  (t)  of  section  2  of  the 
Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 
(1 of 1996); 

(14) "priority households" means households identified as such under section 10; 

(15) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

(16) "ration card" means a document issued under an order or authority of the State Government 
for  the  purchase  of  essential  commodities  from  the  fair  price  shops  under  the  Targeted  Public 
Distribution System; 

(17) "rural area" means any area in a State except those areas covered by any urban local body or 

a cantonment board established or constituted under any law for the time being in force; 

 (18) "Schedule" means a Schedule appended to this Act; 

(19)  "senior  citizen"  means  a  person  defined  as  such  under  clause  (h)  of  section  2  of  the 

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (56 of 2007); 

(20)  "social  audit"  means  the  process  in  which  people  collectively  monitor  and  evaluate  the 

planning and implementation of a programme or scheme; 

(21) "State Commission" means the State Food Commission constituted under section 16; 

(22)  "State  Government",  in  relation  to  a  Union  territory,  means  the  Administrator  thereof 

appointed under article 239 of the Constitution; 

(23)  "Targeted  Public  Distribution  System"  means  the  system  for  distribution  of  essential 

commodities to the ration card holders through fair price shops; 

(24)  "Vigilance  Committee"  means  a  committee  constituted  under  section  29  to  supervise  the 

implementation of all schemes under this Act; 

(25) the words and expressions not defined here but defined in the Essential Commodities Act, 
1955 (10 of 1955), or any other relevant Act shall have the meaning respectively assigned to them in 
those Acts. 

CHAPTER II 

PROVISIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY 

3. Right to receive foodgrains at subsidised prices by persons belonging to eligible households 
under  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System.—(1)  Every  person  belonging  to  priority  households, 
identified under sub-section (1) of section 10, shall be entitled to receive five kilograms of foodgrains per 
person  per  month  at  subsidised  prices  specified  in  Schedule  I  from  the  State  Government  under  the 
Targeted Public Distribution System: 

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Provided that the households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana shall, to such extent as may be 
specified by the Central Government for each State in the said scheme, be entitled to thirty-five kilograms 
of foodgrains per household per month at the prices specified in Schedule I: 

Provided  further  that  if  annual  allocation  of  foodgrains  to  any  State  under  the  Act  is  less  than  the 
average  annual  off  take  of  foodgrains  for  last  three  years  under  normal  Targeted  Public  Distribution 
System, the same shall be protected at prices as may be determined by the Central Government and the 
State shall be allocated foodgrains as specified in Schedule IV. 

Explanation.— For the purpose of this section, the "Antyodaya Anna Yojana" means, the scheme by 
the said name launched by the Central Government on the 25th day of December, 2000; and as modified 
from time to time. 

(2) The entitlements of the persons belonging to the eligible households referred to in sub-section (1) 
at subsidised prices shall extend up to seventy-five per cent. of the rural population and up to fifty per 
cent. of the urban population. 

(3) Subject to sub-section (1), the State Government may provide to the persons belonging to eligible 
households, wheat flour in lieu of the entitled quantity of foodgrains in accordance with such guidelines 
as may be specified by the Central Government. 

4.  Nutritional  support  to pregnant women  and  lactating  mothers.—Subject to  such  schemes  as 
may be framed by the Central Government, every pregnant woman and lactating mother shall be entitled 
to— 

(a) meal, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, through the local 

anganwadi, so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II; and 

(b)  maternity  benefit  of  not  less  than  rupees  six  thousand,  in  such  instalments  as  may  be 

prescribed by the Central Government: 

Provided that all pregnant women and lactating mothers in regular employment with the Central 
Government  or  State  Governments  or  Public  Sector  Undertakings  or  those  who  are  in  receipt  of 
similar benefits under any law for the time being in force shall not be entitled to benefits specified in 
clause (b). 

5.  Nutritional  support  to  children.—(1)  Subject  to  the  provisions  contained  in  clause  (b),  every 
child  up  to  the  age  of  fourteen  years  shall  have  the  following  entitlements  for  his  nutritional  needs, 
namely:— 

(a) in the case of children in the age group of six months to six years, age appropriate meal, free 
of charge, through the local anganwadi so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule 
II: 

Provided  that  for  children  below  the  age  of  six  months,  exclusive  breast  feeding  shall  be 

promoted; 

(b)  in  the  case  of  children,  up  to  class  VIII  or  within  the  age  group  of  six  to  fourteen  years, 
whichever is applicable, one mid-day meal, free of charge, everyday, except on school holidays, in all 
schools run by local bodies, Government and Government aided schools, so as to meet the nutritional 
standards specified in Schedule II. 

(2) Every school, referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1), and anganwadi shall have facilities for 

cooking meals, drinking water and sanitation: 

Provided  that  in  urban  areas  facilities  of  centralised  kitchens  for  cooking  meals  may  be  used, 

wherever required, as per the guidelines issued by the Central Government. 

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6. Prevention and management of child malnutrition.—The State Government shall, through the 
local anganwadi, identify and provide meals, free of charge, to children who suffer from malnutrition, so 
as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II. 

7.  Implementation  of  Schemes  for  realisation  of  entitlements.—The  State  Governments  shall 
implement  schemes  covering  entitlements  under  sections  4,  5  and  section  6  in  accordance  with  the 
guidelines, including cost sharing, between the Central Government and the State Governments in such 
manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

CHAPTER III 

FOOD SECURITY ALLOWANCE 

8. Right to receive food security allowance in certain cases.— In case of non-supply of the entitled 
quantities  of  foodgrains  or  meals  to  entitled persons under  Chapter  II,  such  persons shall  be entitled  to 
receive  such  food  security  allowance  from  the  concerned  State  Government  to  be  paid  to  each  person, 
within such time and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

CHAPTER IV 

IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS 

9.  Coverage  of  population  under  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System.—  The  percentage 
coverage  under  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  in  rural  and  urban  areas  for  each  State  shall, 
subject to sub-section (2) of section 3, be determined by the Central Government and the total number of 
persons to be covered  in  such  rural and urban  areas of the  State shall  be  calculated  on the  basis  of  the 
population estimates as per the census of which the relevant figures have been published. 

10. State Government to prepare guidelines and to identify priority households.— (1) The State 
Government shall, within the number of persons determined under section 9 for the rural and urban areas, 
identify— 

(a) the households to be covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana to the extent specified under 

sub-section (1) of section 3, in accordance with the guidelines applicable to the said scheme;  

(b)  the  remaining  households  as  priority  households  to  be  covered  under  the  Targeted  Public 

Distribution System, in accordance with such guidelines as the State Government may specify: 

Provided  that  the  State  Government  may,  as  soon  as  possible,  but  within  such  period  not 
exceeding three hundred and sixty-five days, after the commencement of  the Act, identify the eligible 
households in accordance with the guidelines framed under this sub-section: 

Provided further that the State Government shall continue to receive the allocation of foodgrains 
from  the  Central  Government  under  the  existing  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System,  till  the 
identification of such households is complete. 

(2) The State Government shall update the list of eligible households, within the number of persons 
determined under section 9 for the rural and urban areas, in accordance with the guidelines framed under 
sub-section (1). 

11. Publication and display of list of eligible households.—The State Government shall place the 

list of the identified eligible households in the public domain and display it prominently. 

CHAPTER V 

REFORMS IN TARGETED PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

12.  Reforms  in  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System.—(1)  The  Central  and  State  Governments 
shall endeavour to progressively undertake necessary reforms in the Targeted Public Distribution System 
in consonance with the role envisaged for them in this Act. 

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(2) The reforms shall, inter alia, include— 

(a) doorstep delivery of foodgrains to the Targeted Public Distribution System outlets; 

(b)  application  of  information  and  communication  technology  tools  including  end-to-end 
computerisation in order to ensure transparent recording of transactions at all levels, and to prevent 
diversion; 

(c)  leveraging  ''aadhaar''  for  unique  identification,  with  biometric  information  of  entitled 

beneficiaries for proper targeting of benefits under this Act; 

(d) full transparency of records; 

(e)  preference  to  public  institutions  or  public  bodies  such  as  Panchayats,  selfhelp  groups,  co-
operatives,  in  licensing  of  fair  price  shops  and  management  of  fair  price  shops  by  women  or  their 
collectives; 

(f) diversification of commodities distributed under the Public Distribution System over a period 

of time; 

(g) support to local public distribution models and grains banks; 

(h) introducing schemes, such as, cash transfer, food coupons, or other schemes, to the targeted 
beneficiaries in order to ensure their foodgrain entitlements specified in Chapter II, in such area and 
manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

CHAPTER VI 

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 

13.  Women  of  eighteen years  of  age  or  above  to  be  head  of  household for purpose of issue  of 
ration  cards.—(1)  The  eldest  woman  who  is  not  less  than  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  every  eligible 
household, shall be head of the household for the purpose of issue of ration cards. 

(2) Where a household at any time does not have a woman or a woman of eighteen years of age or 
above,  but  has  a female  member  below the  age  of  eighteen  years,  then, the  eldest  male  member  of the 
household  shall  be  the  head  of  the  household  for  the  purpose  of  issue  of  ration  card  and  the  female 
member, on attaining the age of eighteen years, shall become the head of the household for such ration 
cards in place of such male member. 

CHAPTER VII 

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM 

14.  Internal  grievance  redressal  mechanism.—Every  State  Government  shall  put  in  place  an 
internal grievance redressal mechanism which may include call centres, help lines, designation of nodal 
officers, or such other mechanism as may be prescribed. 

15.  District  Grievance  Redressal  Officer.—(1)  The  State  Government  shall  appoint  or  designate, 
for each  district, an  officer  to  be  the  District  Grievance  Redressal  Officer for expeditious and  effective 
redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to distribution of entitled foodgrains 
or meals under Chapter II, and to enforce the entitlements under this Act. 

(2) The qualifications for appointment as District Grievance Redressal Officer and its powers shall be 

such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(3) The method and terms and conditions of appointment of the District Grievance Redressal Officer 

shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

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(4)  The  State  Government  shall  provide  for  the  salary  and  allowances  of  the  District  Grievance 
Redressal  Officer  and  other  staff  and  such  other  expenditure  as  may  be  considered  necessary  for  their 
proper functioning. 

(5)  The  officer  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  shall  hear  complaints  regarding  non-distribution  of 
entitled foodgrains or meals, and matters relating thereto, and take necessary action for their redressal in 
such manner and within such time as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(6) Any complainant or the officer or authority against whom any order has been passed by officer 
referred  to  in  sub-section  (1),  who  is  not  satisfied  with  the  redressal  of  grievance  may  file  an  appeal 
against such order before the State Commission. 

(7) Every appeal under sub-section (6) shall be filed in such manner and within such time as may be 

prescribed by the State Government. 

16. State Food Commission.—(1) Every State Government shall, by notification, constitute a State 

Food Commission for the purpose of monitoring and review of implementation of this Act. 

(2) The State Commission shall consist of— 

(a) a Chairperson; 

(b) five other Members; and 

(c) a Member-Secretary, who shall be an officer of the State Government not below the rank of 

Joint Secretary to that Government: 

Provided  that  there  shall  be  at  least  two  women,  whether  Chairperson,  Member  or  Member-

Secretary: 

Provided further that there shall be one person belonging to the Scheduled Castes and one person 

belonging to the Scheduled Tribes, whether Chairperson, Member or Member-Secretary. 

(3) The Chairperson and other Members shall be appointed from amongst persons— 

(a)  who  are  or  have  been  member  of  the  All  India  Services  or  any  other  civil  services  of  the 
Union or State or holding a civil post under the Union or State having knowledge and experience in 
matters  relating  to  food  security,  policy  making  and  administration  in  the  field  of  agriculture,  civil 
supplies, nutrition, health or any allied field; or 

(b)  of  eminence  in  public  life  with  wide  knowledge  and  experience  in  agriculture,  law,  human 

rights, social service, management, nutrition, health, food policy or public administration; or 

(c) who have a proven record of work relating to the improvement of the food and nutrition rights 

of the poor. 

(4) The  Chairperson  and  every  other  Member  shall  hold  office for a  term  not  exceeding  five  years 

from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall be eligible for reappointment: 

Provided that no person shall hold office as the Chairperson or other Member after he has attained the 

age of sixty-five years. 

(5)  The  method  of  appointment  and  other  terms  and  conditions  subject  to  which  the  Chairperson, 
other Members and Member-Secretary of the State Commission may be appointed, and time, place and 
procedure of meetings of the State Commission (including the quorum at such meetings) and its powers, 
shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(6) The State Commission shall undertake the following functions, namely:— 

(a) monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act, in relation to the State; 

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(b)  either  suo  motu  or  on  receipt  of  complaint  inquire  into  violations  of  entitlements  provided 

under Chapter II; 

(c) give advice to the State Government on effective implementation of this Act; 

(d)  give  advice  to  the  State  Government,  their  agencies,  autonomous  bodies  as  well  as  non-
governmental organisations involved in delivery of relevant services, for the effective implementation 
of food and nutrition related schemes, to enable individuals to fully access their entitlements specified 
in this Act; 

(e) hear appeals against orders of the District Grievance Redressal Officer; 

(f)  prepare  annual  reports  which  shall  be  laid  before  the  State  Legislature  by  the  State 

Government. 

(7)  The  State  Government  shall  make  available  to  the  State  Commission,  such  administrative  and 

technical staff, as it may consider necessary for proper functioning of the State Commission. 

(8)  The  method  of  appointment  of  the  staff  under  sub-section  (7),  their  salaries,  allowances  and 

conditions of service shall be such, as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(9) The State Government may remove from office the Chairperson or any Member who— 

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudged as an insolvent; or 

(b) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member; or 

(c)  has  been  convicted  of  an  offence  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  State  Government,  involves 

moral turpitude; or 

(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as 

a member; or 

(e)  has  so  abused  his  position  as  to  render  his  continuation  in  office  detrimental  to  the  public 

interest. 

(10) No such Chairperson or Member shall be removed under clause (d) or clause (e) of sub-section 

(9) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. 

17. Salary and allowances of Chairperson, Member, Member-Secretary and other staff of State 
Commission.—The  State  Government  shall  provide  for  salary  and  allowances  of  Chairperson,  other 
Members,  Member-Secretary,  support  staff,  and  other  administrative  expenses  required  for  proper 
functioning of the State Commission. 

18.  Designation  of  any  Commission  or  body  to  function  as  State  Commission.—The  State 
Government may, if considers it necessary, by notification, designate any statutory commission or a body 
to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the State Commission referred to in section 16. 

19.  Joint  State  Food  Commission.—Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub-section  (1)  of 
section 16, two or more States may have a Joint State Food Commission for the purposes of this Act with 
the approval of the Central Government. 

20. Powers relating to inquiries.—(1) The State Commission shall, while inquiring into any matter 
referred to in clauses (b) and (e) of sub-section (6) of section 16, have all the powers of a civil court while 
trying  a  suit  under  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure,  1908  (5  of  1908)    and,  in  particular,  in  respect  of  the 
following matters, namely:— 

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; 

(b) discovery and production of any document; 

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(c) receiving evidence on affidavits; 

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; and 

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents. 

(2)  The  State  Commission  shall  have  the  power  to  forward  any  case  to  a  Magistrate  having 
jurisdiction to try the same and the Magistrate to whom any such case is forwarded shall proceed to hear 
the complaint against the accused as if the case has been forwarded to him under section 346 of the Code 
of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

21. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of State Commission.—No act or proceeding of 

the State Commission shall be invalid merely by reason of— 

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the State Commission; or 

(b)  any  defect  in  the  appointment  of  a  person  as  the  Chairperson  or  a  Member  of  the  State 

Commission; or 

(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the State Commission not affecting the merits of the case. 

CHAPTER VIII 

OBLIGATIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY 

22. Central Government to allocate required quantity of foodgrains from central pool to State 
Governments.—(1)  The  Central  Government  shall,  for  ensuring  the  regular  supply  of  foodgrains  to 
persons  belonging  to  eligible  households,  allocate  from  the  central  pool  the  required  quantity  of 
foodgrains  to  the  State  Governments  under  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System,  as  per  the 
entitlements under section 3 and at prices specified in Schedule I. 

(2)  The  Central  Government  shall  allocate  foodgrains  in  accordance  with  the  number  of  persons 

belonging to the eligible households identified in each State under section 10. 

(3) The Central Government shall provide foodgrains in respect of entitlements under sections 4, 5 
and  section  6,  to  the  State  Governments,  at  prices  specified  for  the  persons  belonging  to  eligible 
households in Schedule I. 

(4) Without prejudice to sub-section (1), the Central Government shall,— 

(a) procure foodgrains for the central pool through its own agencies and the State Governments 

and their agencies; 

(b) allocate foodgrains to the States; 

(c)  provide  for  transportation  of  foodgrains,  as  per  allocation,  to  the  depots  designated  by  the 

Central Government in each State; 

(d) provide assistance to the State Government in meeting the expenditure incurred by it towards 
intra-State  movement,  handling  of  foodgrains  and  margins  paid  to  fair  price  shop  dealers,  in 
accordance with such norms and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government; and 

(e) create and maintain required modern and scientific storage facilities at various levels. 

23. Provisions for funds by Central Government to State Government in certain cases.—In case 
of short supply of foodgrains from the central pool to a State, the Central Government shall provide funds 
to the extent  of  short  supply  to the  State  Government  for  meeting  obligations  under  Chapter  II  in  such 
manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

11 

 
 
 
CHAPTER IX 

OBLIGATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY 

24.  Implementation  and  monitoring  of  schemes  for  ensuring  food  security.—(1)  The  State 
Government shall be responsible for implementation and monitoring of the schemes of various Ministries 
and  Departments  of  the  Central  Government  in  accordance  with  guidelines  issued  by  the  Central 
Government  for  each  scheme,  and  their  own  schemes,  for  ensuring  food  security  to  the  targeted 
beneficiaries in their State. 

(2) Under the Targeted Public Distribution System, it shall be the duty of the State Government to— 

(a) take delivery of foodgrains from the designated depots of the Central Government in the State, 
at  the  prices  specified  in  Schedule  I,  organise  intra-State  allocations  for  delivery  of  the  allocated 
foodgrains through their authorised agencies at the door-step of each fair price shop; and 

(b) ensure actual delivery or supply of the foodgrains to the entitled persons at the prices specified 

in Schedule I. 

(3) For foodgrain requirements in respect of entitlements under sections 4, 5 and section 6, it shall be 
the responsibility of the State Government to take delivery of foodgrains from the designated depots of 
the Central Government in the State, at the prices specified in Schedule I for persons belonging to eligible 
households and ensure actual delivery of entitled benefits, as specified in the aforesaid sections. 

(4) In case of non-supply of the entitled quantities of foodgrains or meals to entitled persons under 
Chapter II, the State Government shall be responsible for payment of food security allowance specified in 
section 8. 

(5)  For  efficient  operations  of  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System,  every  State  Government 

shall,— 

(a) create and maintain scientific storage facilities at the State, District and Block levels, being 
sufficient  to  accommodate  foodgrains  required  under  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  and 
other food based welfare schemes; 

(b)  suitably  strengthen  capacities  of  their  Food  and  Civil  Supplies  Corporations  and  other 

designated agencies; 

(c) establish  institutionalised licensing arrangements for fair price shops in accordance with the 
relevant provisions of the Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 made under the Essential 
Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), as amended from time. 

CHAPTER X 

OBLIGATIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES 

25. Implementation of Targeted Public Distribution System by local authority in their areas.—
(1) The local authorities shall be responsible for the proper implementation of this Act in their respective 
areas. 

(2) Without prejudice to sub-section (1), the State Government may assign, by notification, additional 

responsibilities for implementation of the Targeted Public Distribution System to the local authority. 

26.  Obligations  of  local  authority.—In  implementing  different  schemes  of  the  Ministries  and 
Departments of the Central Government and the State Governments, prepared to implement provisions of 
this Act, the local authorities shall be responsible for discharging such duties and responsibilities as may 
be assigned to them, by notification, by the respective State Governments. 

12 

 
 
 
CHAPTER XI 

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 

27.  Disclosure  of  records  of  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System.—All  Targeted  Public 
Distribution System related records shall be placed in the public domain and kept open for inspection to 
the public, in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

28. Conduct of social audit.—(1) Every local authority, or any other authority or body, as may be 
authorised by the State Government, shall conduct or cause to be conducted, periodic social audits on the 
functioning of fair price shops, Targeted Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes, and cause 
to  publicise  its  findings  and  take  necessary  action,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government. 

(2) The Central Government may, if it considers necessary, conduct or cause to be conducted social 

audit through independent agencies having experience in conduct of such audits. 

29. Setting up of Vigilance Committees.—(1) For ensuring transparency and proper functioning of 
the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  and  accountability  of  the  functionaries  in  such  system,  every 
State  Government  shall  set  up  Vigilance  Committees  as  specified  in  the  Public  Distribution  System 
(Control) Order, 2001, made under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), as amended from 
time to time, at the State, District, Block and fair price shop levels consisting of such persons, as may be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government  giving  due  representation  to  the  local  authorities,  the  Scheduled 
Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, women and destitute persons or persons with disability. 

(2) The Vigilance Committees shall perform the following functions, namely:— 

(a) regularly supervise the implementation of all schemes under this Act; 

(b)  inform  the  District  Grievance  Redressal  Officer,  in  writing,  of  any  violation  of  the 

provisions of this Act; and 

(c)  inform  the  District  Grievance  Redressal  Officer,  in  writing,  of  any  malpractice  or 

misappropriation of funds found by it. 

CHAPTER XII 

PROVISIONS FOR ADVANCING FOOD SECURITY 

30. Food  security for  people  living in  remote,  hilly  and  tribal  areas.—The Central  Government 
and  the  State  Governments  shall,  while  implementing  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  schemes  for 
meeting  specified  entitlements,  give  special  focus  to  the  needs  of  the  vulnerable  groups  especially  in 
remote areas and other areas which are difficult to access, hilly and tribal areas for ensuring their food 
security. 

31. Steps to further advance food and nutritional security.—The Central Government, the State 
Governments and local authorities shall, for the purpose of advancing food and nutritional security, strive 
to progressively realise the objectives specified in Schedule III. 

CHAPTER XIII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

32.  Other  welfare  schemes.—(1)  The  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  not  preclude  the  Central 

Government or the State Government from continuing or formulating other food based welfare schemes. 

(2)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  this  Act,  the  State  Government  may,  continue  with  or 
formulate  food  or  nutrition  based  plans  or  schemes  providing  for  benefits  higher  than  the  benefits 
provided under this Act, from its own resources. 

13 

 
33. Penalties.—Any public servant or authority found guilty, by the State Commission at the time of 
deciding  any  complaint  or  appeal,    of  failing  to    provide  the  relief    recommended  by    the  District 
Grievance Redressal Officer, without reasonable cause, or wilfully ignoring such recommendation, shall 
be liable to penalty not exceeding five thousand rupees: 

Provided  that  the  public  servant  or  the  public  authority,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  be  given  a 

reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed. 

34.  Power  to  adjudicate.—(1)  For  the  purpose  of  adjudging  penalty  under  section  33,  the  State 
Commission shall authorise any of its member to be an adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry in the 
prescribed  manner  after  giving  any  person  concerned  a  reasonable  opportunity  of  being  heard  for  the 
purpose of imposing any penalty. 

(2)  While  holding  an  inquiry  the  adjudicating  officer shall  have  power to  summon  and  enforce  the 
attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to 
produce any document which in the opinion of the adjudicating officer, may be useful for or relevant to 
the  subject  matter  of  the  inquiry  and  if,  on  such  inquiry,  he  is  satisfied  that  the  person  has  failed  to 
provide the relief recommended by the District Grievance Redressal Officer, without reasonable cause, or 
wilfully ignored such recommendation, he may impose such penalty as he thinks fit in accordance with 
the provisions of section 33. 

35.  Power  to  delegate  by  Central  Government  and  State  Government.—(1)  The  Central 
Government  may,  by  notification,  direct  that  the  powers  exercisable  by  it  (except  the  power  to  make 
rules), in  such  circumstances  and  subject  to such  conditions  and  limitations,  be  exercisable  also  by  the 
State Government or an officer subordinate to the Central Government or the State Government as it may 
specify in the notification. 

(2) The State Government may, by notification, direct that the powers exercisable by it (except the 
power to make rules), in such circumstances and subject to such conditions and limitations, be exercisable 
also by an officer subordinate to it as it may specify in the notification. 

36. Act to have overriding effect.—The provisions of this Act or the schemes made thereunder shall 
have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being 
in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of such law. 

37. Power to amend Schedules.—(1) If the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or 
expedient so to do, it may, by notification, amend Schedule I or Schedule II or Schedule III or Schedule 
IV and thereupon Schedule I or Schedule II or Schedule III or Schedule IV, as the case may be, shall be 
deemed to have been amended accordingly. 

(2)  A  copy  of  every  notification  issued  under  sub-section  (1),  shall  be  laid  before  each  House  of 

Parliament as soon as may be after it is issued. 

38. Power of Central Government to give directions.—The Central Government may, from time to 
time,  give  such  directions,  as  it  may  consider  necessary,  to  the  State  Governments  for  the  effective 
implementation  of  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  State  Governments  shall  comply  with  such 
directions. 

39.  Power  of  Central  Government  to  make  rules.—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  in 
consultation with the State Governments and by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this 
Act. 

(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a)  scheme  including  cost  sharing  for  providing  maternity  benefit  to  pregnant  women  and 

lactating mothers under clause (b) of section 4; 

14 

 
(b) schemes covering entitlements under sections 4, 5 and section 6 including cost sharing under 

section 7; 

(c) amount, time and manner of payment of food security allowance to entitled individuals under 

section 8; 

(d)  introducing  schemes  of  cash  transfer,  food  coupons  or  other  schemes  to  the  targeted 
beneficiaries in order to ensure their foodgrains entitlements in such areas and manner under clause 
(h) of sub-section (2) of section 12; 

(e)  the  norms  and  manner  of  providing  assistance  to  the  State  Governments  in  meeting 

expenditure under clause (d) of sub-section (4) of section 22; 

(f) manner in which funds shall be provided by the Central Government to the State Governments 

in case of short supply of foodgrains, under section 23; 

(g) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed or in respect of which provision is to be 

made by the Central Government by rules. 

(3) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it 
is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which 
may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the 
session  immediately  following  the  session  or  the  successive  sessions  aforesaid,  both  Houses  agree  in 
making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall 
thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that 
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 
under that rule. 

40. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may, by notification, 
and subject to the condition of previous publication, and consistent with this Act and the rules made by 
the Central Government, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) guidelines for identification of priority households under sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(b) internal grievance redressal mechanism under section 14; 

(c)  qualifications  for  appointment  as  District  Grievance  Redressal  Officer and its  powers  under 

sub-section (2) of section 15; 

(d) method and terms and conditions of appointment of the District Grievance Redressal Officer 

under sub-section (3) of section 15; 

(e) manner and time limit for hearing complaints by the District Grievance Redressal Officer and 

the filing of appeals under sub-sections (5) and (7) of section 15; 

(f)  method  of  appointment  and  the  terms  and  conditions  of  appointment  of  Chairperson,  other 
Members  and  Member-Secretary  of  the  State  Commission,  procedure  for  meetings  of  the 
Commission and its powers, under sub-section (5) of section 16; 

(g)  method  of  appointment  of  staff  of  the  State  Commission,  their  salaries,  allowances  and 

conditions of service under sub-section (8) of section 16; 

 (h) manner in which the Targeted Public Distribution System related records shall be placed in 

the public domain and kept open for inspection to public under section 27; 

15 

 
 
(i)  manner  in  which  the  social  audit  on  the  functioning  of  fair  price  shops,  Targeted  Public 

Distribution System and other welfare schemes shall be conducted under section 28; 

(j) composition of Vigilance Committees under sub-section (1) of section 29; 

(k) schemes or programmes of the Central Government or the State Governments for utilisation of 

institutional mechanism under section 43; 

(l) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed or in respect of which provision is to be 

made by the State Government by rules. 

(3)  Every  rule,  notification  and  guidelines  made  or  issued  by  the  State  Government  under  this  Act 
shall,  as  soon  as  may  be  after  it  is  made  or  issued,  be  laid  before  each  House  of  the  State  Legislature 
where there are two Houses, and where there is one House of the State Legislature, before that House. 

41. Transitory provisions for schemes, guidelines, etc.—The schemes, guidelines, orders and food 
standard, grievance redressal mechanism, vigilance committees, existing on the date of commencement of 
this Act, shall continue to be in force and operate till such schemes, guidelines, orders and food standard, 
grievance redressal mechanism, vigilance committees are specified or notified under this Act or the rules 
made thereunder: 

Provided that anything done or any action taken under the said schemes, guidelines, orders and food 
standard, grievance redressal mechanism, or by vigilance committees shall be deemed to have been done 
or  taken  under  the  corresponding  provisions  of  this  Act  and  shall  continue  to  be  in  force  accordingly 
unless and until superseded by anything done or by any action taken under this Act. 

42. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing 
the difficulty: 

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of two years from the date of 

commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament. 

43. Utilisation of institutional  mechanism for other purposes.—The services of authorities to be 
appointed or constituted under sections 15 and 16 may be utilised in the implementation of other schemes 
or programmes of the Central Government or the State Governments, as may be prescribed by the State 
Government. 

44. Force Majeure.—The Central Government, or as the case may be, the State Government, shall be 
liable for a claim by any person entitled under this Act, except in the case of war, flood, drought, fire, 
cyclone or earthquake affecting the regular supply of foodgrains or meals to such person under this Act: 

Provided that the Central Government  may, in consultation with the Planning Commission, declare 
whether or not any such situation affecting the regular supply of foodgrains or meals to such person has 
arisen or exists. 

45.  Repeal  and  savings.—(1)  The  National  Food  Security  Ordinance,  2013  (Ord.  7  of  2013)  is 

hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,— 

(a) anything done, any action taken or any identification of eligible households made; or 

(b) any right, entitlement, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred; or 

(c) any guidelines framed or directions issued; or 

16 

 
(d) any investigation, inquiry or any other legal proceeding initiated, conducted or continued in 

respect of such right, entitlement, privilege, obligation or liability as aforesaid; or 

(e) any penalty imposed in respect of any offence, 

under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done, taken, made, acquired, accrued, incurred, 
framed, issued, initiated, conducted, continued or imposed under the corresponding provisions of this Act. 

17 

 
 
 
SCHEDULE I 

[See sections 3(1), 22(1), (3) and 24(2), (3)] 

SUBSIDISED PRICES UNDER TARGETED PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

Eligible  households  shall  be  entitled  to  foodgrains  under  section  3  at  the  subsidised  price  not 
exceeding rupees 3 per kg for rice, rupees 2 per kg for wheat and rupee 1 per kg for coarse grains for a 
period of three years from the date of commencement of this Act; and thereafter, at such price, as may be 
fixed by the Central Government, from time to time, not exceeding,— 

(i) the minimum support price for wheat and coarse grains; and 

(ii) the derived minimum support price for rice,  

as the case may be. 

18 

 
 
 
SCHEDULE II 

[See sections 4(a), 5(1) and 6] 

NUTRITIONAL STANDARDS 

Nutritional standards: The nutritional standards for children in the age group of 6 months to 3 years, 
age  group  of  3  to  6  years  and  pregnant  women  and  lactating  mothers  required  to  be  met  by  providing 
“Take  Home  Rations”  or  nutritious  hot  cooked  meal  in  accordance  with  the  Integrated  Child 
Development Services Scheme and nutritional standards for children in lower and upper primary classes 
under the Mid Day Meal Scheme are as follows: 

Calories  
(Kcal) 

4 

500 

500 

800 

450 

700 

600 

Protein 
(g) 

5 

12-15 

12-15 

20-25 

12 

20 

18-20 

Serial 
number 

Category 

2 

Children (6 months to 3 
years) 

Children (3 to 6 years) 

Children (6 months to 
 6 years) who are 
malnourished 

Type of  
meal2 

3 

Take Home Ration 

Morning Snack and 
 Hot Cooked Meal 

Take Home Ration 

1 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Lower primary classes 

Hot Cooked Meal 

Upper primary classes 

Hot Cooked Meal 

Pregnant women and 
Lactating mothers 

Take Home Ration 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE III 

(See section 31) 

(1) Revitalisation of Agriculture— 

PROVISIONS FOR ADVANCING FOOD SECURITY 

(a) agrarian reforms through measures for securing interests of small and marginal farmers; 

(b)  increase  in  investments  in  agriculture,  including  research  and  development,  extension 

services, micro and minor irrigation and power to increase productivity and production; 

(c) ensuring livelihood security to farmers by way of remunerative prices, access to inputs, credit, 

irrigation, power, crop insurance, etc.; 

(d) prohibiting unwarranted diversion of land and water from food production. 

(2) Procurement, Storage and Movement related interventions— 

(a) incentivising decentralised procurement including procurement of coarse grains; 

(b) geographical diversification of procurement operations; 

(c) augmentation of adequate decentralised modern and scientific storage; 

(d) giving top priority to movement of foodgrains and providing sufficient number of rakes for 
this purpose, including expanding the line capacity of railways to facilitate foodgrain movement from 
surplus to consuming regions. 

(3) Others: Access to— 

(a) safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation; 

(b) health care; 

(c) nutritional, health and education support to adolescent girls; 

(d) adequate pensions for senior citizens, persons with disability and single women. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE IV 

[See section 3(1)] 

STATE-WISE ALLOCATION OF FOODGRAINS 

Name of the State 

Quantity (in lakh tons) 

2 

Andhra Pradesh 

Arunachal Pradesh 

Assam 

Bihar 

Chhattisgarh 

Delhi 

Goa 

Gujarat 

Haryana 

Himachal Pradesh 

Jammu and Kashmir 

Jharkhand 

Karnataka 

Kerala 

Madhya Pradesh 

Maharashtra 

Manipur 

Meghalaya 

Mizoram 

Nagaland 

Odisha 

Punjab 

Rajasthan 

Sikkim 

Tamilnadu 

Tripura 

Uttar Pradesh 

Uttarakhand 

3 

32.10 

0.89 

16.95 

55.27 

12.91 

5.73 

0.59 

23.95 

7.95 

5.08 

7.51 

16.96 

25.56 

14.25 

34.68 

45.02 

1.51 

1.76 

0.66 

1.38 

21.09 

8.70 

27.92 

0.44 

36.78 

2.71 

96.15 

5.03 

21 

S. 
No. 

1 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

 
 
1 

2 

29.  West Bengal 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

Chandigarh 

Dadra and Nagar Haveli 

Daman and Diu 

Lakshadweep 

Pudducherry 

Total 

3 

38.49 

0.16 

0.31 

0.15 

0.07 

0.05 

0.50 

549.26 

———— 

22 

 
 
 
