MPPSC 2023 Prelims Paper-I · Question 24 of 100

Correct — A, National Food Security Act, 2013. The NFSA, 2013 provides for a State Food Commission in every state to monitor and review implementation of the Act — grievance redressal on entitlements such as subsidised food-grains, maternity benefit, and the mid-day meal scheme. This is the 'Food Commission' the question refers to, and it is a creature of the National Food Security Act, 2013, not of any food-safety legislation.

• (b)Food Security Act, 2011 — No Act by this exact name and year was ever enacted in India; the actual law is the National Food Security Act, 2013.
• (c)Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 — This Act created the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which regulates food product safety and quality standards — a different statutory body with a different mandate from a food-entitlement grievance commission.
• (d)Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011 — There is no separate 2011 Food Safety and Standards Act; the governing food-safety law is the 2006 Act, which is itself not the source of the Food Commission being asked about.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 gives a legal entitlement to subsidised food-grains for up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population through the Targeted Public Distribution System. To make these entitlements enforceable, the Act builds in a grievance-redressal machinery, including a State Food Commission in each state to monitor implementation and hear appeals.

Do not confuse 'food security' law (entitlement to food, welfare-oriented — the NFSA, 2013) with 'food safety' law (product and quality regulation — FSSAI, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006). The commission named in this question monitors entitlements, so it traces to the security Act, not the safety Act.

• The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for a State Food Commission in every state to monitor and review implementation of the Act.
• NFSA, 2013 covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population under subsidised food-grains.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 created FSSAI — a separate body regulating food product safety and quality, not entitlements.
• NFSA also provides for District Grievance Redressal Officers, a tier below the State Food Commission.

• Confusing 'Food Security' (NFSA, 2013 — entitlements) with 'Food Safety' (FSSAI — product standards)
• Assuming a non-existent '2011 Food Security Act' is the source

MPPSC and UPSC ask either about the population-coverage percentages of the NFSA or, as here, which statutory body or mechanism the Act creates.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, which authority hears grievances at the district level before an appeal to the State Food Commission?

  • (a)District Collector
  • (b)District Grievance Redressal Officer
  • (c)District Magistrate
  • (d)District Supply Officer

  Answer(b) District Grievance Redressal Officer.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under:

  • (a)National Food Security Act, 2013
  • (b)Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
  • (c)Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
  • (d)Essential Commodities Act, 1955

  Answer(b) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.