The National Food Security Act converts access to subsidised foodgrains from a welfare scheme into a legal entitlement, covering up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, making it one of the largest food security programmes in the world.
Section 3 entitles priority households to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at highly subsidised prices (Rs 3/kg rice, Rs 2/kg wheat, Rs 1/kg coarse grains – rates as originally notified), while Antyodaya Anna Yojana households get 35 kg per household per month.
Section 4 provides special nutritional entitlements for pregnant and lactating women, including a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000. Section 5 guarantees free mid-day meals for children up to Class VIII and nutritious food for children up to 6 years through the Anganwadi system.
Section 14 establishes a grievance redressal mechanism at the district level, and the Act mandates that ration cards be issued in the name of the eldest woman of the household (18 years or above) as the head, for the purpose of issuing ration cards, promoting women’s role in household food security.