New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The Union government has unveiled the draft National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026, inviting public comments as part of its consultation process to address long-standing inequities in foodgrain entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, particularly for households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

Under the NFSA, while AAY households constitute the poorest of the poor and are legally entitled to receive 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, priority households are currently entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month.

This household-based entitlement results in inequities depending upon the size of the household, where smaller households receive a higher per-capita entitlement. Larger households, meanwhile, receive a lower per-capita entitlement, which may fall below the entitlement available to priority households.

This imbalance has raised concerns about fairness and nutritional adequacy, prompting calls for reform. The government now aims to remove intra-category inequities, provide for more rational food grain allocation and better align entitlements with nutritional requirements.

The draft amendment seeks to rationalise entitlements by shifting from a purely household-based allocation to a hybrid model that balances per-person and household limits.

Among the key changes included are per-person entitlements in an AAY household, where every individual will be entitled to 7 kg of foodgrains per month, at prices as specified. It is also provided that AAY households will be entitled to a maximum of 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month at the prices specified, the government document added.

This proposed amendment aims to align foodgrain distribution more closely with nutritional requirements while preventing excessive allocations to smaller households.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution document emphasised that the amendment is designed to remove intra-category inequities by ensuring fairer per-capita distribution. Additionally, it provides rational foodgrain allocation that better reflects household size and nutritional needs.

The amendments would further strengthen food security across the lifecycle, ensuring dignity and adequacy for all beneficiaries.

The draft bill is now open for public feedback, underscoring its commitment to participatory policymaking. Citizens, experts, stakeholders, and the general public can submit comments as part of the consultation exercise on the draft amendments.

Feedback can be sent by email to suneel.sachdeva@nic.in and saurabhomar.edu@gov.in by July 13.

If enacted, the amendment could have far-reaching consequences, where larger families under AAY would benefit from increased per-person entitlements, reducing disparities with priority households. For the administration, it may require adjustments in procurement, distribution, and monitoring systems to ensure smooth implementation.

The move also reflects a broader shift toward equity-focused welfare measures, balancing household protection with individual nutritional rights. The draft bill represents a significant step in India’s ongoing effort to refine its food security framework. By addressing the inequities in AAY entitlements, the government aims to ensure that the poorest families receive fair and adequate support, regardless of household size.

–IANS

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