Dimapur, Oct 14 The Nagaland government on Wednesday launched the General Household (GHH) scheme to provide subsidised rice to households excluded from the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, with 1,21,238 beneficiaries identified in the first phase.
The scheme was launched by Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies K T Sukhalu in Dimapur.
Addressing the programme, Sukhalu said the scheme was aimed at addressing the shortfall in food grain allocation following the implementation of the NFSA and ensuring that eligible households excluded from the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) receive food security support.
He said the number of beneficiaries was expected to increase as implementation progressed. The scheme is open to eligible Indian citizens, including indigenous inhabitants and non-indigenous residents who fulfil the prescribed criteria.
Clarifying the Centre’s Tide Over Rice allocation mechanism, Sukhalu said it had been in place since 2017 to meet additional food grain requirements. Under the arrangement, stockists appointed by the state lift food grains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at their own expense, subject to government regulations.
He said the department regularly received requests for rice during festivals, jubilees and other celebrations, as well as from old-age homes, destitute persons and social organisations. Assistance was also extended in certain cases, including fire incidents, based on requests from district administrations and approval by the competent authority.
Sukhalu clarified that the Tide Over allocation was not a free distribution scheme and that food grains provided for relief purposes were purchased through the concerned agencies, including disaster management authorities, wherever applicable.
He said the department had undertaken preparatory measures to streamline the distribution mechanism, address confusion surrounding allocations and ensure greater transparency. He expressed hope that the GHH scheme would help dispel misconceptions about the system.
Secretary for Food and Civil Supplies department Wonchio Odyuo said the scheme was being implemented in accordance with state government guidelines under the Tide Over allocation of the NFSA.
According to the eligibility criteria outlined by the department, households must meet the prescribed annual income requirement of Rs 2.5 lakh or above and comprise indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland or bona fide Indian citizens. Non-indigenous residents are required to submit a self-declaration certificate.
Applicants must not possess an active Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household (PHH) or other PDS ration card, in accordance with the one-card policy.
Under the scheme, the eldest female member of the household aged 18 years or above will be designated as the Head of Family on the ration card. In the absence of a female member, the eldest male member will be designated as the head of the family. Enrolment will be Aadhaar-based.
Each eligible beneficiary will receive five kilogrammes of rice per month at a subsidised rate on a payment basis. Distribution will be undertaken through verified Fair Price Shops (FPS) in urban and rural areas, with monitoring by the respective district administrations.
Odyuo said the scheme was expected to improve access to food grains, strengthen last-mile delivery and enhance transparency in allocation and distribution. It would also facilitate coordination among the Directorate, district administrations, Village Councils and FPS dealers, besides establishing a monitoring and reporting mechanism.
Odyuo said 26,982 GHH ration cards had been generated, covering 1,19,401 units, with a total food grain allocation of 5,97,455 kg, according to the district-wise statement.
He said the launch marked a step towards strengthening food security and improving public service delivery in the state. The scheme is also intended to help eligible households cope with food inflation and seasonal grain shortages.
(PTI News)
