Recommends a mandatory coverage of 67 per cent of population for subsidised grains

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food has recommended a mandatory coverage of 67 per cent of the country’s population for subsidised rice, wheat and millets under the National Food Security Bill with a reduced and uniform monthly entitlement of 5 kg per person. As opposed to an overwhelming demand from States and civil society groups for universal public distribution system to ensure “food and nutrition security,” the UPA government’s ambitious Bill proposes coverage of 75 per cent rural and 50 per cent urban population at 2011 census figures.

The parliamentary panel reviewing the National Food Security Bill, 2011, is understood have recommended that states should be allowed to prescribe guidelines for identification of 'priority' and 'general' households for subsidised foodgrains.

The panel chaired by Lok Sabha MP Vilas Muttemwar has also asked the government to devise a clearly defined criteria in consultation with the states to identify those outside the ambit of the scheme, seeking to expand the scope of existing public distribution system.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said Andhra Pradesh had become the first state in India to provide food security for the poor with his government’s “Mana Biyyam” (our rice) scheme.

The scheme is aimed at providing quality rice for just Rs 1 per kg through the public distribution system. The scheme will cover nearly 2.2 crore white ration card holders in the state at an annual expenditure of Rs 9,600 crore.

Inclusion, exclusion categories to replace BPL, APL labels

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food and Consumer Affairs has suggested that food entitlements under the National Food Security Act be made available to 67 per cent of the population, leaving out the 33 per cent who pay taxes, have a pucca house and so on. It wants the ‘priority’ (Below Poverty Line) and ‘general’ (Above Poverty Line) categories to go and be replaced with “inclusion” and “exclusion” categories.

The identification of beneficiaries for subsidised rice and wheat under the Public Distribution System will be done by State governments.

To bring about a synergy between the proposed direct transfer of food subsidies and the food security Bill, which will provide legal entitlement for cheap grain to a majority of India’s population, a Parliament standing committee has suggested states have the option of choosing between the two.

The suggestion has not been included as part of the report but is just mentioned in remarks. The committee, expected to give its final report to the Lok Sabha Speaker soon, has said it should be optional on states whether they want to go for distribution of cheap foodgrain under the food security scheme or distribute cash directly to beneficiaries.

Notwithstanding ‘serious differences’ among its members, a parliamentary panel reviewing the National Food Security Bill, 2011, will submit its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday. The government aims to introduce the Bill in the forthcoming Budget session of Parliament.

FE had reported last month that the panel would submit its report by mid-January. The 31-member panel, chaired by Lok Sabha MP Vilas Muttemwar, had been examining the Bill since October last year. Flooded with around 1.5 lakh petitions as well as comments from state governments, experts and civil society groups, the panel had to hold daily meetings to finalise its report.

An ambitious food fortification programme launched in Rajasthan this past September benefiting school children through the mid-day meals scheme will be expanded this year to cover about 10 lakh children. The centralised kitchens are supplying fortified soya dal analogue containing additional micronutrients under the project.

The State Government is implementing the project in collaboration with Jaipur-based Institute of Health Management & Research (IIHMR) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Mid-day meals were added to the programme after its successful execution through the public distribution system for common citizens, women and children having low levels of nutrition.