The Government of India has recently passed an ordinance to enact the Food Security Act (FSA). There has been an intense debate on the merits and demerits of the Food Security Bill draft.The main argument in favour of a coupon based/cash transfer-led food programme is that it would minimise leakages and hence reduce the burden on the exchequer. Further, the proposal is to discontinue the current system of grain procurement and distribution with Food Corporation of India (FCI) as the nodal agency, and restricting the role of the organisation to maintaining only stipulated buffer norms.
 

However, what is most crucial for the FSA to succeed in fulfilling its objective is the availability of adequate foodgrains to meet the entitlement commitments. Official documents have repeatedly claimed that foodgrain production in the country has reached record levels, and that India is not only food self-sufficient but is also emerging as a major exporter.

In order to assess the ability of the FSA to meet its objectives, this policy brief evaluates two important questions. One, what is the current state of foodgrain production in India; and two, what is the level of food stock available with the government?