Soon after independence, India adopted the path of planned development, but in the mid 1960s and early 1970s we were faced serious economic problems. First, because of war with neighbors. Second, due to increase in import. Finally, food production failed to increase and our country became increasingly dependent on food imports by United States under US Government's PL 480 law. But around 1968 agriculture production increases due to adoption of Green Revolution and make our country self sufficient in food production. And we had never thought of, that we will provide guarantee of food to our people. We are the first nation in the world to talk about this scheme.
First, let's understand what Food Security Bill is? The Food Security Bill is the UPA’s scheme, aims to provide subsidized food grain to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people. This includes the distribution of wheat, rice and coarse grains at just Rs 2, Rs 3 and Re 1 a kilo.
If this scheme be properly applied, it will end country’s malnutrition soon. On the other hand, various challenges also here.
First is the production of huge amount of crops. Because it is a huge program and the estimated production for providing food will be 62 million tonnes. After the enforcement of bill, there will be a tremendous pressure to produce huge amount of grains. And if we fail to do so, then we would import the food to fulfilling the law. This will increase cost of food and import bills. Second is pressure on economy. There will be a heavy pressure on govt fund. The size of the subsidy is estimated around $24 billion. If the production remains same every year then still subsidy will increases due to increasing cost of food production and growing population. So this is big factor to be considered. Third is the beneficiary of this scheme. According to bill, states will provide food to poor. But the indicator of poor is not clear. It will be a major challenge for govt to decide the beneficiary. Government should ensure that the food will reach to needy peoples. Fourth is the method of distribution. Government will use existing PDS (Public Distribution System ) for delivering food to the poor. The PDS is already used to deliver food subsidies to the poor but around 51% of the food is currently lost to leakages. It is sold in black market at relatively high price. We need to reduce the leakages from the distribution system and make it transparent. Chhattisgarh is very good example. Other than this four challenges, climate changes and farmers concerns also a factors to be considered.
The bill is a great and unique initiative but major challenges are also there. The current bill is under consideration in parliament is defective but better than none. This bill should not taken as a political action and all parties should give important suggestion to improve this bill which is happening. Now it is govt responsibility to amend all the defective points and make bill less vulnerable. If bill is properly come into force it will change the life of poor, otherwise it will led to a biggest scam ever.
- Prateek Dixit
First, let's understand what Food Security Bill is? The Food Security Bill is the UPA’s scheme, aims to provide subsidized food grain to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people. This includes the distribution of wheat, rice and coarse grains at just Rs 2, Rs 3 and Re 1 a kilo.
If this scheme be properly applied, it will end country’s malnutrition soon. On the other hand, various challenges also here.
First is the production of huge amount of crops. Because it is a huge program and the estimated production for providing food will be 62 million tonnes. After the enforcement of bill, there will be a tremendous pressure to produce huge amount of grains. And if we fail to do so, then we would import the food to fulfilling the law. This will increase cost of food and import bills. Second is pressure on economy. There will be a heavy pressure on govt fund. The size of the subsidy is estimated around $24 billion. If the production remains same every year then still subsidy will increases due to increasing cost of food production and growing population. So this is big factor to be considered. Third is the beneficiary of this scheme. According to bill, states will provide food to poor. But the indicator of poor is not clear. It will be a major challenge for govt to decide the beneficiary. Government should ensure that the food will reach to needy peoples. Fourth is the method of distribution. Government will use existing PDS (Public Distribution System ) for delivering food to the poor. The PDS is already used to deliver food subsidies to the poor but around 51% of the food is currently lost to leakages. It is sold in black market at relatively high price. We need to reduce the leakages from the distribution system and make it transparent. Chhattisgarh is very good example. Other than this four challenges, climate changes and farmers concerns also a factors to be considered.
The bill is a great and unique initiative but major challenges are also there. The current bill is under consideration in parliament is defective but better than none. This bill should not taken as a political action and all parties should give important suggestion to improve this bill which is happening. Now it is govt responsibility to amend all the defective points and make bill less vulnerable. If bill is properly come into force it will change the life of poor, otherwise it will led to a biggest scam ever.
- Prateek Dixit
