IMPACT OF FOOD SECURITY ACT IN JHARKHAND: A CASE STUDY OF BOKARO DISTRICT

ECONOMICS

Food security is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for social and economic development. India enacted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013 to ensure access to affordable and nutritious food to its population, particularly the vulnerable. Jharkhand, characterised by large tribal and marginalised populations, remains a critical state for evaluating the effectiveness of NFSA. This study empirically examines the impact of the Food Security Act in Bokaro District through primary data collected from 350 respondents during 2024. Employing a mixed-sample approach comprising 300 beneficiary households, 35 Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, and 15 district-level and block-level officials, the research evaluates the outcomes of NFSA in terms of food availability, accessibility, nutritional adequacy, leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS), satisfaction levels, and challenges in implementation. Quantitative data analysis is complemented with qualitative insights derived from interviews and observation. The results indicate noticeable improvement in household food security and reduction in hunger episodes; however, constraints persist, including biometric authentication failures, supply delays, transportation costs, and corruption-linked leakages. Key findings reveal that 78% of households reported monthly food security due to NFSA support but only 41% expressed high satisfaction due to operational hurdles. FPS dealers identified logistical and financial constraints, while officials highlighted systemic shortcomings. The study concludes that NFSA has positively influenced food access in Bokaro, but substantial reforms are required to ensure efficiency, transparency, and nutritional diversity. Recommendations include strengthening last-mile supply chains, enhancing DBT mechanisms, revising commission structures for FPS dealers, improving grievance redressal, and linking NFSA with nutrition-and-livelihood programmes.

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