In the latest Union budget presented on February 2, there was a deep slash in foodgrain subsidy for the poor, with a massive 63% cut. To achieve this cost-saving measure, the government in December 2022 put an end to the free-food scheme that was rolled out during the COVID-19, rejigged other schemes under the National Food Security Act and rebranded them under the prime minister’s name.
The government’s arguments in the court against expanding the food security programme align with the recommendations of the NITI Aayog. It quoted some of the Aayog’s views in its affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court. Budget numbers show plans to reduce food subsidies by Rs 1,79,844 crore in the next fiscal despite the court’s directive to expand the number of beneficiaries.
The Aayog recommended that the government re-examine whether it is “feasible and desirable” to “continue providing cheaper food grains to nearly two-thirds of the population”, reveal documents.
10/02/2023