Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]latest-news-updates/food-security-caps-stay-by-basant-kumar-mohanty-11704.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Food security caps stay by Basant Kumar Mohanty | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Food security caps stay by Basant Kumar Mohanty

Up to three-fourths of villagers and half of city dwellers will be entitled to subsidised food grains under a new bill, with the Centre refusing to budge on the volume of grain entitlement and continuing with upper limits for beneficiaries.

The National Food Security Bill, redrafted on the basis of feedback from states and civil society groups, will soon be sent to the cabinet so that it can be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament.

Various food rights groups had demonstrated here this week demanding subsidised food grains for all citizens at 50kg a month for a family of five, without any classification. But the government has stuck to the entitlements and proportion of beneficiaries mentioned in the first draft.

The bill provides for differential grain entitlements to families depending on their economic condition. It says at least 46 per cent of the rural population will be considered the priority group and will stand to receive a higher quantity of grain at a cheaper price than the 29 per cent villagers in the general category.

In urban areas, 28 per cent of the population will come under the priority category.

The percentage of beneficiaries, however, may vary from state to state. The ongoing socio-economic caste census will suggest the exact number of beneficiaries.

“Various studies have suggested the percentage of the poor may be less than 75 per cent in rural areas and less than 50 per cent in urban areas. That is why the upper limits have been set. But the percentages may vary from state to state,” a central government source said.

Under the revised bill, an estimated 2.25 crore women will get Rs 6,000 each apart from free meals at anganwadi centres.

In exceptional situations, the bill provides for cash transfer and food coupons. People living in difficult terrains might get this benefit.

Subsidised grains are now provided under the public distribution system (PDS). Certain organisations working on food security want the PDS replaced by cash transfer, a demand the Bihar government too backs on the ground that the PDS is “time-consuming and cost-intensive”.

But the central government source said: “The bill allows cash transfer in exceptional cases but the PDS will not be replaced. It is being revamped by introducing computerisation and maintaining transparency in records.”

The financial implication of the bill is estimated to be Rs 94,973 crore a year. The Centre will be obliged to regularly supply grains to PDS outlets while the states have to ensure proper implementation.

The states will bear certain costs relating to the maternal allowance and free meals for the destitute and disaster-hit. Certain states such as Bengal and Punjab have asked the Union food ministry to clarify the cost-sharing formula.

Food rights activists are disappointed at the government’s refusal to increase the entitlements and make food security universal.

Activist Nikhil Dey said: “The basic feature of the proposed law is un-implementable. It speaks of a 46 per cent priority category. How will you select the 46 per cent? It will be arbitrary.”

Kavita Srivastava, national secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, said all citizens should be entitled to subsidised grains whether they choose to take it or not.

She criticised the ongoing socio-economic caste census, saying it may exclude many poor people from the below-poverty-line (BPL) list.

“Our study suggests that the exclusion error will be very high.... Deserving people will not find place in the BPL list. Therefore, they may not get the benefit of PDS grains,” she said.