Tripura, Mizoram to Implement Food Security Act from April

Agartala/Aizawl, Jan 29 (IANS) Tripura and Mizoram governments are computerising their Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to implement the National Food Security Act from April, officials said Thursday.

"Over 95 percent of the 960,000 ration cards in Tripura have been already digitized. Remaining computerisation works and setting up of call centres are now under process," Principal Secretary (food and civil supplies) S.K. Rakesh told reporters.

He said: "With the completion of remaining mandatory work, the National Food Security Act (NFSA) would be implemented in Tripura from April."

The official said that creating infrastructure, and necessary computerisation of entire TPDS, will cost around Rs 11 crore of which the central government would provide 90 percent.

In Mizoram, so far 89.30 percent of the total of 241,272 ration cards have been digitised.

A Mizoram government official said: "Over seven lakh people out of ten lakh population of Mizoram would be able to avail rice through TPDS if the NFSA is implemented in the state."

According to a central government report, the NFSA has been implemented by only nine states and two union territories.

Most of the northeastern states are yet to complete the computerisation of entire TPDS and setting up of call centers, both mandatory to execute the act.

The union government has asked the all states and union territories to implement the NFSA from April.

Under the NFSA, which came into force in July 5, 2013, each eligible person would get 5 kg of food grains a month at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Re 1 per kg for coarse cereals through the state governments.