Food Security Bill
Combating hunger in India through legislation .. India is a land of contrasts. In this country, a person making a journey might come across huge piles of wheat and rice bags rotting away in platforms. Within a kilometer of this disturbing scene, one would get to see villagers emaciated due to years of low food intake moving around like ghosts. Why the rotting food can not reach the hungry mouths is a question that has defied solution. Even strong intervention from the apex court has failed to get the government moving. In short, government machinery in this country fails to deliver in areas where a little more energy and initiative can do wonders. Apathy to human misery has always been a trait of government servants in this country. The devastating Bengal Famine of 1943, during which droves of dying skeletons lay strewn in the streets of Calcutta, was caused due to government inefficiency. The same malaise haunts us today, nearly seven decades later.
What does the Food Security Bill mean to the common man? …It will guarantee 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per person at a fixed price of Rs 3, Rs 2, Re 1, respectively. A rosy figure for the calorie-starved millions of India – almost too good to be true.
The central government has pushed the Food Security Bill with amazing alacrity. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that rules India, has got the Bill passed by an ordnance, not through the usual parliament route. Within six months from the date of promulgation, the government will have to seek the approval of this Bill through parliament to avoid the ordnance falling through.
Nevertheless, the government known for its indecisiveness and foot-dragging deserves appreciation for this rare show of efficiency. But, there are skeptics. The question they ask is what made the government act with such haste? Is it the hunger pangs of the starving citizens or the looming state and central elections?
The Food Security Bill aims to
What does the Food Security Bill mean to the common man? …It will guarantee 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per person at a fixed price of Rs 3, Rs 2, Re 1, respectively. A rosy figure for the calorie-starved millions of India – almost too good to be true.
The central government has pushed the Food Security Bill with amazing alacrity. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that rules India, has got the Bill passed by an ordnance, not through the usual parliament route. Within six months from the date of promulgation, the government will have to seek the approval of this Bill through parliament to avoid the ordnance falling through.
Nevertheless, the government known for its indecisiveness and foot-dragging deserves appreciation for this rare show of efficiency. But, there are skeptics. The question they ask is what made the government act with such haste? Is it the hunger pangs of the starving citizens or the looming state and central elections?
The Food Security Bill aims to