Delay in conducting census halted food security for 14 crore Indians: Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi spoke about the delay in conducting the decennial census and how it is adversely impacting food security for millions of Indians.

She urged the government to expedite the process and ensure that all eligible citizens receive their rightful benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

‘Current allocation of food grain is outdated’

Addressing the Rajya House, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi emphasised that the NFSA (National Food Security Act), introduced by the UPA government in 2013, was a landmark legislation designed to provide subsidised food grains to 75 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population.

The act played a crucial role in preventing hunger, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis. However, she pointed out that the current allocation of food grains is still based on the outdated 2011 census, depriving approximately 14 crore eligible Indians of their entitlements.

“For the first time in independent India’s history, the decennial census has been delayed by more than four years. The government has failed to provide any clarity on when it will be conducted, and budget allocations indicate that it is unlikely to happen this year either,” she stated.

Millions of households losing out on food security

Gandhi stressed that the delay is preventing millions of vulnerable households from accessing food security benefits, which are fundamental to their survival. She called on the government to prioritise the completion of the census to ensure that every deserving citizen is included under the NFSA.

“Food security is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right,” she asserted, urging the government to take immediate action to rectify the situation and uphold the welfare of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

Population census

The population census was last carried out in 2011. There has not been any attempt made to carry out the census as the Union budget 2025 has not allocated any amount for the same.

The delay in census has led to the benefits of government schemes not reaching all, claimed the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.