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Census Delay Deprives 14 Crore Indians of Food Security Benefits – Sonia Gandhi
In a recent session of the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the prolonged delay in conducting India’s decennial census, emphasizing that this postponement has resulted in approximately 14 crore eligible citizens being denied their rightful entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Impact of Census Delay on Food Security
The NFSA, enacted in 2013, aims to provide subsidized food grains to up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population. However, the allocation of these benefits is based on data from the 2011 census. The significant population growth over the past decade means that many deserving individuals are currently excluded from the program due to outdated beneficiary quotas.
Government’s Stance and Budget Allocation
Despite the critical importance of updated census data for welfare distribution, the central government has not provided a clear timeline for conducting the overdue census. Recent budget allocations suggest that the census may not be prioritized in the immediate future, further prolonging the deprivation of benefits for millions.
Call to Action
Sonia Gandhi urged the government to expedite the completion of the census to ensure that all eligible citizens receive their due benefits under the NFSA. She emphasized that food security is a fundamental right and that the government must take immediate steps to rectify the current shortcomings in beneficiary identification and support.
Conclusion
The delay in conducting the national census has significant implications for the distribution of food security benefits in India. Updating the census is essential to ensure that welfare programs like the NFSA can effectively reach and support the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
