Proposed National Food Security
Bill marks a paradigm shift in addressing the problem of food security – from
it being viewed as a welfare approach to a right-based approach”. The Act seeks
to address the issue of food security in the country in a holistic manner by
adopting a life cycle approach. This was stated by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister
of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public distribution, while launching the
bulletin bulletin on food justice in India” brought out
by the Oxfam India, the institute of development studies and the centre for
legislative research and advocacy here today.
Highlighting the provisions of
the Food Security Bill, Prof Thomas said that, the proposed Act provides for
about two thirds of the population to become entitled to receive subsidized
food-grains under Targeted Public Distribution System, with special focus on
nutritional support to women and children. Pregnant women and lactating
mothers, besides being entitled to meal, free of charge, as per the prescribed
nutritional norms, will also receive maternity benefit @ Rs. 1000/- per month
for six months. In case of non-supply of food-grains or meals, beneficiaries
will be entitled to receive food security allowance. Elaborate provisions for grievance redressal mechanism have also been made in the Bill besides
other provisions for ensuring transparency and accountability such as
disclosure of records of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), social
audit and vigilance committees at various levels. The Bill is at present under
consideration of the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public
Distribution. The Government is awaiting the outcome of deliberations by the
Standing Committee so that we could take further action to take the Bill
forward, he added
Reiterating the Government commitment for food
security, Prof Thomas said that ensuring adequate quantities of food at
affordable prices has been a focus of planning and policy of Government of
India. To ensure food security at the
individual or household level, the Government of India implements various
schemes in partnership with State Governments and Union Territory
Administrations. The Government is implementing the Targeted Public
Distribution system (TPDS) under which food-grains at subsidized rates are provided
to Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line Households through a network of
more than 5 lakh fair price shops spread across the
country. Currently, allocations of subsidized food-grains is being made for
about 6.5 crore BPL households, which includes 2.5 crore AAY households, and 11.5 crore
APL households. Besides, Government is
also implementing schemes to specifically address the concerns related to
malnutrition, especially among women and children, through schemes like
Integrated Child Development Services, Mid-Day Meal, Annapoorna,
etc, he asserted.
Some of the major highlights of
the Food Security Bill are:
·
Up to 75% of the rural
population (with at least 46% from priority category) and up to 50% of urban
population (with at least 28% from priority category) are to be covered under
Targeted Public Distribution System.
·
7 kg of food-grains per person
per month to be given to priority category households which include rice, wheat
and coarse grains at Rs. 3, 2, and 1 per kg, respectively.
·
At least 3 kg of food-grains
per person per month to be given to general category households, at prices not
exceeding 50% of Minimum Support Price.
·
Women to be made head of the
household for the purpose of issue of ration cards.
·
Maternity benefit to pregnant
women and lactating mothers.
·
End-to-end computerisation of
Targeted Public Distribution System.
·
Three-tier independent
grievance redressal mechanism.
·
Social audit by local bodies
such as Gram Panchayats, Village Councils etc.
·
Meals for special groups such
as destitute, homeless persons, emergency/disaster affected persons and persons
on the verge of starvation.
·
Food Security Allowance in case
of non-supply of food-grains or meals.
Source : PIB, July 18, 2012
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