Enable Block: 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State cannot implement the Food Security Act mooted by the Union Government, as it has been framed against the interests of the State, Food and Civil Supplies Minister C.Divakaran has said. If the Act is implemented, there will be a considerable decrease in the number of BPL cardholders in the State, he said.

K. Balchand

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday constituted an empowered Group of Ministers to decide on strategies for procurement and management of foodgrain stocks, revision of central issue prices of foodgrains and the proposed law on food security.

With the deficient monsoon bringing to the forefront concerns about inadequate foodgrain production, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday constituted an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) to work on the modalities of the proposed National Food Security Act (NFSA).

With deficient rainfall in many parts of the country raising the spectre of a dip in agricultural production, a concerned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday took stock of the monsoon situation and instructed officials to be ready with contingency measures to meet any eventuality.

The ambitious Food Security Bill may look at being more inclusive-------------
Every Morsel Counts
The alternative version
Jean Dreze, Economist

1. Food security guarantee will have to come from the Centre
2. Does not want to freeze number of BPL families at any inflexible level
3. Wants clear criteria to determine BPL and APL categories, but not with an aim to exclude anyone

Our ability to manage the monsoon will determine our ability to reduce hunger and ensure food, water, and livelihood security.

Compiled from dispatches
L

The Group of Eight rich nations and the G5 of emerging economies were among 40 nations and organizations represented at a three-day summit to discuss recession, climate change, trade and food security.

Below is a comparison between aims going in to the meeting and the results achieved.

EMISSIONS CUTS

Leaders from rich nations at the G8 summit in Italy will commit $15 billion over three years to spur agricultural investment in poorer countries and combat hunger, a final draft statement seen by Reuters said.

President Obama has enlisted the world

Pages