AIZAWL, March 4 - The implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 has commenced from March 1 in Mizoram with 7,06,296 out of around 12 lakh people to be covered by the Act. However, only 6,44,882 beneficiaries have been selected at this initial stage and the remaining 61,414 people have been put on �reserve� as beneficiaries under the Act.
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs officials said that the AAY families numbering 25,785 families covering 83,052 people would be able to buy a monthly quota of 35 kgs of rice at Rs 3 per kg from retailers. While Priority House Households (PHH) covering 5,61,830 beneficiaries from 1,11,088 families would be able to receive five kgs of rice at Rs 3 per month. Beside this, they would also be able to buy another 3 kgs at Rs 15 per kg. On the other hand, the Non-NFSA Households would be eligible to buy eight kgs of rice at Rs 15 per month.
According to officials, ration cards to be used in the NFSA are under process and they will be classified under different groups with three different colours. The AAY families will use a yellow coloured card, while the PHH will use green ration cards. The Non-NFSA will use white coloured ration card. At present there are 2,44,511 ration cardholders covering about 11,97,111people in Mizoram while 1,07,638 families would not be covered by the Act.
The calculation is based on the 2011 general Census and National Sample Survey Oganisation statistics. About 48.60 per cent of the population in urban areas and 81.88 per cent of the rural population would be covered by the Act.
