Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday voiced strong criticism over the delay in the decennial Census, stating that it has led to 14 crore Indians being deprived of their rightful benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). She emphasized that food security is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Sonia Gandhi expressed concerns about the four-year delay in the Census and pointed out that it is unlikely to be conducted this year. “The National Food Security Act (NFSA), introduced by the UPA government in 2013, was a landmark initiative to ensure food and nutritional security for the country’s population of 140 crore. It has played a crucial role in protecting vulnerable households, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. This Act is the foundation for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana,” she said.
The CPP Chairperson explained that under the NFSA, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are entitled to subsidized food grains, but the allocation of beneficiaries is still based on the outdated 2011 Census data.
“For the first time in independent India’s history, the decennial Census has been delayed by more than four years. Originally scheduled for 2021, there is still no clarity on when it will be held. The Budget allocations suggest that the updated Census is unlikely to take place this year,” Gandhi said. She added that as a result, around 14 crore eligible Indians are being denied their rightful benefits under the NFSA.
She called on the government to prioritize the completion of the Census process to ensure that deserving individuals receive their entitled benefits. “It is crucial that the government completes the Census at the earliest and ensures that all eligible individuals get the benefits promised to them under the NFSA. Food security is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” she emphasized.
The Budget Session of Parliament, which began on January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu’s inaugural address, will continue until February 13. The second part of the session is scheduled to reconvene on March 10 and will conclude on April 4.