Bihar Ranked 7th in 'State Ranking Index for NFSA' | 07 Jul 2022

Why in News?

• In the first edition of the 'State Ranking Index for NFSA' released on July 5, 2022, Bihar is ranked seventh in the entire country. Odisha is at the first position in this index.

Key Points

• Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal released the first edition of the 'State Ranking Index for NFSA'.
• Among the general category states, Odisha topped the 'State Ranking Index for NFSA' with a score of 0.836, while Uttar Pradesh is second with a score of 0.797 and Andhra Pradesh is third with a score of 0.794.
• Among the general category states, Bihar is at the seventh position in the 'State Ranking Index for NFSA' with a score of 0.783.
• Among special category states/UTs, Tripura is at the first position with a score of 0.788, followed by Himachal Pradesh with a score of 0.758 and Sikkim third with a score of 0.710.
• Also in the three Union Territories, where Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is cash-driven, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu are at the top spot with a score of 0.802.
• The index seeks to document the status and progress of the implementation of NFSA across the country and various reform initiatives after consultation with the states.
• It highlights the reforms undertaken by the States and Union Territories and creates a cross-learning environment and scale-up reform measures by all the States and Union Territories.
• The current index is largely focused on NFSA distribution and will include future buyouts, PMGKAY distributions.
• The index for ranking of States and UTs is built on three key pillars, which cover end-to-end implementation of NFSA through TPDS. These pillars are- i) NFSA- coverage, targeting and provisions of the Act, ii) delivery platforms, and iii) nutrition initiatives.