2,37,434 households with 11,93,922 beneficiaries under the Priority Households (PHH) scheme and
47,500 households with 2,09,657 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) identified
The State Government of Nagaland has issued new guidelines under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 for the distribution of Tide Over foodgrain. This decision comes as part of the effort to streamline coverage and improve food security for the state’s population.
According to the latest data, the state government has identified 2,37,434 households with 11,93,922 beneficiaries under the Priority Households (PHH) scheme and 47,500 households with 2,09,657 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). This represents coverage of approximately 70.95% of Nagaland’s population. However, 29.05% of the population remains uncovered, based on the 2011 census.
The Department of Food & Civil Supplies aims to enhance coverage of non-NFSA beneficiaries (AAY & PHH) through improved Tide Over allocation. As outlined in the guidelines, the state government operates a total of 1,852 fair price shops (FPS) across urban and rural areas. Under NFSA, foodgrains (rice) are provided free of cost only to PHH & AAY ration card holders until December 2028. The new guidelines clarify that PHH & AAY foodgrains cannot be allocated to individuals outside these categories.
Additionally, an allocation of foodgrains has been set aside to protect the annual average offtake from the last three years. This Tide Over allocation can be issued on a payment basis to the public through government-appointed stockist-cum-handling agents in the districts.
Key points of the new guidelines include:
Beneficiaries with an annual income of 2.5 lakhs and above, who are not covered under the AAY & PHH scheme, will be covered from the allocation of Tide Over rice and issued General Household (GHH) ration cards. As per the prescribed format of the Ministry, the GHH beneficiaries’ data shall be digitized and posted on the department website to maintain transparency and accountability in the public distribution system.
The District Civil Supply Officer (DCSO), through the respective District Administration, shall allot 5 kg of rice per person based on the number of family members through identified/designated FPS (in urban areas) for handling only Tide Over rice and submit a report to the Director, Food & Civil Supplies, Nagaland, Dimapur every month.
The State Government shall keep some reserved quantity of rice out of the Tide Over allocation as “buffer stock” to meet unforeseen eventualities/natural calamities such as fire, flood, landslide, cyclone, drought, law & order situations, and annual festivals.
However, a utilization certificate from the stockist, duly countersigned by the concerned Deputy Commissioners & District Civil Supply Officer, shall be required to be submitted to the Directorate of Food & Civil Supplies every month.
The issue price for Tide Over rice will be fixed by the Department in consultation with the Government, taking into account the CIP+ handling charges, dealers’ commission, transportation charges, and FPS automation charges.
Identification of GHH beneficiaries: The eligibility criteria for identifying GHH beneficiaries are as follows:
· Any Indian citizen and indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland who is a non-NFSA beneficiary (AAY & PHH) will be eligible for a GHH ration card. If any household/family is found in possession of more than one ration card, appropriate action will be initiated as per relevant sections of the law.
· The eldest female in the family, who is 18 years and above, will be the head of the family, and the GHH ration card will be issued in her name.
· In the absence of an eligible female in the family, the eldest male will be the head of the family for the purpose of issuing the ration card.
· The applicant shall submit the details of the family in the prescribed format, duly certified and signed for approval of the authority and enrollment after cross-verification with the RCMS portal.
· Aadhaar numbers of all family members to be included in the ration card should be submitted.
· Mere submission of the application does not entitle the applicant to a GHH card.
Procedure for availing or surrendering of GHH ration card:
· Any person who wishes to be included under GHH must fill out Form-I and submit it to the respective district office.
· Families who wish to change the head of the family must fill out Form-II and submit it to the respective district office.
· Applicants who wish to change/correct beneficiary name(s) must fill out Form-III and submit it to the respective district office.
· Applicants who wish to delete name(s) must fill out Form-IV and submit it to the respective district office.
· Beneficiaries who wish to change the Fair Price Shop and/or residential address should fill out Form-V and submit it to the respective district office.
· Beneficiaries who wish to surrender the GHH ration card should fill out Form-VI and submit it to the respective district office.