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/pds-universalisation-should-be-time-bound-by-biraj-patnaik-2604.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | PDS universalisation should be time-bound by Biraj Patnaik | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

PDS universalisation should be time-bound by Biraj Patnaik

The latest recommendation by the National Advisory Council on the National Food Security Act represents a significant shift in the debate on food security in the country.

The discussions in the NAC suggest that the debate has largely been around the universalisation of the Public Distribution System. There also seems to have been other decisions taken by the NAC, especially on the right to food of vulnerable people and children’s right to food.

These decisions include the universal promotion of breast feeding and converting Anganwadi centres into crèches. The framework for the right to food as proposed by the NAC includes the universalisation of the ICDS and MDMS as legal entitlements. The framework also proposes special programmes for dealing with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), setting up nutrition rehabilitation centres, expanded maternity benefit schemes, and community based rehabilitation of children with SAM.

The NAC needs to be commended for advancing the right to food and also placing at the centre of the discourse, very vulnerable and marginalised communities who have been outside the pale of the policy discourse.

Where the discourse seems to falter is whether the right to food would be restricted to food security or look at the issue of nutrition security as well.

It is unclear on how the NAC proposes to reduce child malnutrition, for instance, without achieving universal access to clean potable water, sanitation and primary health care facilities. Despite the many programmes that the NAC has proposed, it is unlikely that we will be able to achieve any significant reduction in child malnutrition without water and sanitation being defined as clear entitlements.

NAC suggests that the members would also look at issues of agricultural production, local production and reform of the PDS, but it is not forthcoming on the measures that are being proposed. All of these, including the issues of accountability mechanisms and transparency measures, would be critical to the success of the legislation. Food security would remain a mirage in India without considerable increase in both production and procurement as well as systems for more decentralised management of the food economy.

Also critical to food security is the expansion of the PDS to include pulses and food grains, and this has also been a key demand of the Right to Food Campaign. However, it is not clear, if this demand has been discussed by the NAC.

The biggest unresolved issue though is whether the NAC has accepted the principle for universalisation of the PDS for the entire country and the time frame for doing so. It is unclear from the press note released by the NAC and the subsequent media reports.

The decision to universalise the PDS in one-fourth of the districts / blocks is a good starting point but may fall short of the expectations that have been raised for a universal PDS for the entire country. If the NAC does not come up with a concrete proposal for universalisation with expanded PDS, for the entire country, the food security act would be seen by most as a half-measure.

In the coming days and weeks, the clamour for a clearer formulation on the universal PDS, with a definitive roll-out plan and accompanying financial memorandum would grow louder. It is in the best interests of the country that the NAC clarifies this at the earliest and creates the space for an informed national debate on the contours of what will perhaps be one of the most significant pieces of legislation, since Independence.