Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Govt Removes 2.25 Cr Ineligible Beneficiaries from Food Law in 4-5 Months
The Indian government has taken out about 2.25 crore people who were not really poor from a list of people getting free food every month.
These people had cars, made too much money, or worked for companies.
The government wants to make sure only the right people get the free food.
They found these people in the last 4-5 months and asked the states to check if they were still eligible.
The free food program covers about two-thirds of all people in India.
Government removes around 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries from the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Ineligible beneficiaries included those owning four-wheelers, having high income, or serving as company directors
The move aims to focus the scheme on genuine poor and needy
The process involved identification by the central government and verification by state governments
The NFSA covers about two-thirds of India's population, providing 5 kg of free foodgrains per month to eligible beneficiaries
- Who
- The Indian government
- What
- Removed ineligible beneficiaries from the National Food Security Act
- When
- In the last 4-5 months
- Where
- Nationwide, India
- Why
- To better target genuine poor and needy beneficiaries
Government's Stance
Critics' Stance
Targeting
Government's Stance
The government believes this move will ensure the rightful poor get the benefits.
Critics' Stance
Critics argue that the process may have led to some genuine poor being removed due to errors or lack of awareness.
- Act
- National Food Security Act (NFSA)
- Beneficiaries removed
- Around 2.25 crore
- Time period
- Last 4-5 months
- Reason for removal
- Ineligible due to high income, car ownership, or company directorship
- NFSA coverage
- About two-thirds of India's population