“Provide subsidized food grains to all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).” - Department of Food and Public Distribution

On August 23, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution's Department of Food and Public Distribution informed that it has written a letter to all state governments and union territories. The department has issued directions  to state governments for providing subsidized food grains under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) to all eligible disabled persons.

Section 38 of NFSA emowers the central governments for giving directions to state government  for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act from time to time.

In addition to this, section 10 of the said Act deals with coverage of persons under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). 

The government distributes highly subsidized food grains to more than 81 crore beneficiaries in the country. According to the provisions of the Act, each beneficiary is entitled for 5 kg food grains at a rate of Rs 1-3 per kg.

The following directions have been given to the states in this regard:

1. Subsidized food grains should be provided to all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 
2. Issue fresh ration cards to persons who are eligible as per the identification criteria but are not covered under the NFSA. 
3. Disabled persons who do not have ration cards should be covered under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package scheme. This scheme is for those who are not covered under any other scheme of NFSA. 
4. Eligible disabled persons should be provided an entitled quota of food grains both under the NFSA and under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. 
5. Cover disabled persons under priority households as per the criteria of identification. 

The ministry asked the states to take proactive steps with regards to the issue of distribution of ration to all beneficiaries without ration cards including the disabled.