The Right to Food
Campaign activists went on a hunger strike from April 15-19, 2010 at
Jantar Mantar in the capital over the proposed food security Bill sent
to the Cabinet by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).
The Right to Food
Campaign activists went on a hunger strike from April 15-19, 2010 at
Jantar Mantar in the capital over the proposed food security Bill sent
to the Cabinet by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).
The
EGoM drafted National Food Security Act (NFSA) proposes a
minimalist single entitlement of 25 kilograms of rice or wheat per month
at the rate of Rs. three per kilogram to each family living below
poverty line (BPL).
The activists demanded at least 50 kilograms
of grain per month for
a family of five members. They also sought 14 kg of cereal, 1.15 kg
pulses and 800 gm of cooking oil at subsidized rates for every adult
under the system.
A small group of activists submitted a
memorandum to the Planning
Commission on April 17, 2010, seeking changes in the Bill. Introduction
of universal entitlement of the public distribution system was one of
the main demands of the group. The group also demanded an immediate ban
on the export of food items until the end of malnutrition in the
country.
At a meeting with Union Food and Agriculture Minister
Sharad Pawar,
a delegation of activists stated that the proposal to provide 25 kg of
foodgrains to a limited number of BPL households was meaningless in the
face of high malnutrition in the country, spiraling prices of
essentials, drought and deepening hunger.
The delegation rejected
the idea of cash transfer for foodgrains as
opposed to food transfers under any nutrition related scheme and urged
the Minister to follow a consultation process before finalizing the
proposed Bill. They said that the first call on all natural resources
including land and water must be for food.
They further stated
that the proposed Bill must provide for
mandatory reforms of the PDS shops as well as direct doorstep delivery
of food items. Cards must be issued in the name of women and procurement
should be done from all districts. Special protection for vulnerable
groups such as elderly, disabled people, single women or child headed
households, was also among the demands of the activists.
