-The Business Standard Clause empowers both Central and state govts from their obligation to provide subsidised food in the event of war, flood, drought, fire, cyclone or earthquake The government included much-debated 'force majeure' clause in the Food Security Ordinance, despite opposition from civil socieity and a Parliamentary standing committee. However, the clause can now only be invoked if the Central government in consultation with the Planning Commission decides as to whether such...

-DNA The Centre may have used the ordinance mode to push through with the Food Security Bill in the hope that this will bring political dividends but many of its stipulations will lead to serious challenges, even in a Cong-NCP ruled state like Maharashtra. On one hand, the total food grain availability in the state will go up from 3.95 lakh tonnes to 4.25 lakh tonnes, but only 75% from existing...

-The Business Standard Ruling BJD wants to make the scheme the face of its campaign ahead of upcoming polls Bhubaneswar: When one logs on to the official website of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation and food supply ministry, a large banner of the rice at Re 1 a kg scheme welcomes visitors. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) wants to make the scheme the face of its campaign ahead of upcoming...

-The Business Standard About 35 mn poor families may get benefits from the scheme which has the highest malnutrition rate in India Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan sounded the poll bugle on April 22 by announcing the availability of wheat at Re 1 a kg and rice at Rs 2 a kg to poor families from June 1. About 35 million poor families are expected to get benefits from the scheme...

-The Hindustan Times The original intention was laudable but the final product leaves quite a bit to be desired. To make matters worse, the timing of its launch is all wrong, making everyone suspicious about whether the UPA government is really serious about the issue of hunger and food entitlement or is only interested in the votes that a food security law could fetch in the coming general elections. The National Food...