UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013,
consider the following statements:

1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

• The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• As a step towards women empowerment, the eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above is mandated to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing of ration cards under the NFS Act. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  
•  According to the provisions of the Act, Pregnant women and lactating mothers are further entitled to receive cash maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to partly compensate for the wage loss during the period of pregnancy and also to supplement nutrition. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Bills and Acts