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what has our government done to provide food security to the poor discuss any two schemes launched by the government

Here’s a clear, exam‑ready explanation of what the government has done to provide food security to the poor , with two schemes explained in detail.

How the government provides food security

To provide food security to the poor, the government has created a food security system that works mainly in two ways:

  1. Maintaining buffer stock of food grains –
    The government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), purchases wheat and rice from farmers at a fixed Minimum Support Price, stores them in large godowns as buffer stock , and uses this stock during shortages, disasters, or high price situations so that poor people can still get food at affordable rates.
  1. Public Distribution System (PDS) –
    The government distributes food grains from this buffer stock to the poor at subsidised or free rates through a network of fair price shops (ration shops) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Because of this system, around 81 crore (810 million) people in India receive food grains at highly subsidised or free rates every month.

Scheme 1: Public Distribution System (PDS) under NFSA

What is PDS?

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the main government scheme to give food grains to poor families at low or zero cost.

  • Food grains like wheat and rice are distributed through fair price shops.
  • Poor families are given ration cards (AAY, PHH, etc.) to identify them as beneficiaries.

Key features

  • Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 ,
    • Each Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household gets 35 kg of food grains per month.
* Each person in **Priority Households (PHH)** gets **5 kg per month**.
  • Since January 2023 , these grains are being given free of cost to NFSA beneficiaries, and this has been extended for five years from 1 January 2024 with a huge financial outlay fully funded by the Central Government.

How it helps the poor

  • Ensures basic food at low or no cost for crores of poor people every month.
  • Protects them from hunger , price rise , and food shortages.
  • Supports both rural and urban poor through a ready network of ration shops across the country.

Scheme 2: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

What is AAY?

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a special scheme launched to help the “poorest of the poor” families among those who are below the poverty line.

  • It was launched in December 2000.
  • It targets the most vulnerable families who are often left out even by other schemes.

Key features

  • Initially, one crore of the poorest BPL families were identified under this scheme.
  • Each AAY family was first given 25 kg of food grains per month , later increased to 35 kg per month , at highly subsidised rates.
  • Over time, more families were added, so that around 2 crore families came under AAY.
  • Now, with NFSA benefits being free for beneficiaries, AAY families continue to receive 35 kg free food grains per month , which is a strong support for extremely poor households.

How it helps the poor

  • Focuses on those who are most food insecure – landless labourers, daily wage earners, marginal workers, etc.
  • Provides assured quantity of grains every month, which reduces their risk of chronic hunger and starvation.

(Optional for extra marks) Other important food security schemes

If you want to add 1–2 extra points in your answer, you can briefly mention:

  • Food for Work Programme (Food-for-Work / FFW) –
    Launched in November 2004 in backward districts to provide wage employment in rural areas , where people are paid in food grains or money for doing unskilled manual work.
  • Mid-Day Meal / PM POSHAN –
    Provides cooked meals to schoolchildren , improving attendance and nutrition; recent decisions include fortified meals and increased funding to improve nutritional security.

Just one line on each is enough in an exam answer.

Model answer you can write (short and to the point)

To provide food security to the poor, our government has designed a food security system that maintains a buffer stock of food grains and distributes these grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Under the PDS, food grains procured by the Food Corporation of India are supplied to poor households at subsidised or free rates through a network of fair price shops under the National Food Security Act.

One important scheme is the Public Distribution System under NFSA, which covers about 81 crore people. Antyodaya Anna Yojana families get 35 kg of food grains per month, while Priority Household members receive 5 kg per person per month, now free of cost.

Another major scheme is Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), launched in December 2000 to help the “poorest of the poor” BPL families. Initially, one crore such families were identified, each receiving 25 kg, later 35 kg, of food grains per month at highly subsidised rates; over time the scheme was expanded to cover about 2 crore families. This scheme ensures that the most vulnerable households are protected from hunger and food insecurity.

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A clear explanation of what the Indian government has done to provide food security to the poor, with an easy, exam‑oriented discussion of two key schemes: PDS under NFSA and Antyodaya Anna Yojana.