National Food Security Scheme has been implemented in Maharashtra from today. Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar launched the ambitious Scheme in Maharashtra in Navi Mumbai yesterday. Maharashtra is the 8th state in India to implement this scheme after Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), which guarantees Right to Food to 2/3rd of the population through subsidized food grains, is all set to be rolled out in Maharashtra from today. Under the scheme each entitled person will receive 5 kg of food grains per month which includes rice at Rs 3, wheat at Rs 2 or coarse grains at Re 1. While, the poorest of the poor will continue to get 35 kg food grains per household per month under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana; the scheme has additional advantage for pregnant women and lactating mother, who will get maternity benefit of Rs. 6000.

Apart from a robust grievance redressal mechanism, the scheme also provides for increased role for Panchayati Raj institutions and women’s self help group in monitoring and social auditing of public distribution systems. More than 7 crore people are expected to benefit from this scheme in Maharashtra.

National Food Security Scheme has been launched today in Bihar. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar formally launched UPA government Flagship food guarantee scheme in state capital Patna.

For the better implementation of the scheme a Call Centre and Electronic Public Distribution Supply Management system have been also launched by the Chief Minister on this occasion.

Act covers nearly eight crore beneficiaries in the state. Bihar is the ninth state in the country to implement the National Food Security Act, NFSA. NFSA guarantees Right to Food to two third of the population through subsidized food grains.