The Government of Assam has launched a new subsidised food distribution scheme to provide essential commodities like masur dal, sugar, and salt at affordable prices to families covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

• The initiative, inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, aims to strengthen food security and nutritional support for low-income households.

Key Features of the Scheme:

• Beneficiaries: Nearly 70 lakh families (around 2.45 crore people) under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• Distribution Mechanism: Beneficiaries can collect items from 33,000 Fair Price Shops (FPS) using e-PoS biometric authentication during ‘Anna Seva Divas’ (1st–10th of every month).
• Subsidised Prices (November–December 2025):
  • Masur dal – ₹69/kg
  • Sugar – ₹38/kg
  • Salt – ₹10/kg
  • Total – ₹117 per family per month
• Further Subsidy from January 2026:
  • Masur dal – ₹60/kg
  • Sugar – ₹30/kg
  • Salt – ₹10/kg
  • Total – ₹100 per family per month
• Dealer Incentive: FPS dealers receive ₹2 per kg for distributing these items.
• Significance: Enhances food and nutritional security, strengthens inclusive governance, integrates digital transparency, aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and NFSA 2013 mandate.

The scheme complements the existing free rice distribution under the NFSA, ensuring households get a more balanced and nutritious food basket.

Associated Welfare Measures:

• Widow Pension raised to ₹1,250, with plans to enhance old-age pensions.
• Orunodoi Scheme:
  • Families to receive ₹250 LPG subsidy per cylinder.
  • Proposal to include subsidised edible oil and increased assistance during festivals like Bihu.
• Labour Welfare: Proposal to grant one weekly off for domestic workers.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question:

With reference to Assam’s new subsidised food scheme under NFSA, consider the following statements:

1. It provides masur dal, sugar, and salt at subsidised rates through Fair Price Shops.
   
2. The distribution process involves biometric authentication under the e-PoS system.
   
3. The scheme is implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1 and 3 only
   (d) All of the above
   

Answer: (a)

One-line Wrap:

Assam’s new food subsidy scheme transforms welfare delivery—making nutrition affordable, transparent, and inclusive for every household under the NFSA.

SOURCE