National Food Security Act set for pre-poll rollout

food_securityThe National Food Security Act is set to roll out in the next financial year in the phases which will be geared up for election and this might prove an ace in sleeve for the UPA government before the elections. The government has finalized the bill bringing it substantially closer to adherence to the recommendations of the National Advisory Council. The existing Integrated Child Development Scheme and the midday meal programme would become entitlements for beneficiaries under the proposed Act.

The Sonia Gandhi-led panel also suggested that the general category (what is today called ‘above poverty line’ beneficiaries) should get 20 kg of grain as compared to the 35 provided to the priority category (‘below poverty line’).

The government has not yet been able to settle the debate on the identification of priority beneficiaries. It has moved away from putting an artificial cap based on poverty figures emerging from Planning Commission. Instead it is going to depend upon Socio-Economic Caste Census to draw up the numbers. This choice could alter the total number of beneficiaries substantially and impact the subsidy bill considerably. The issue of a grievance redress mechanism also remains unresolved as yet. Although there is a separate bill of grievance redressal that will come out.

Also the provisions for pensions, which exist as a scheme at present, the government is likely to keep more as a directive principle in the act rather than a clear entitlement.

National Food Security Act set for pre-poll rollout

Report by Adhir Roy Chowdury