Debate on Indian Food Security Bill and Lesson to Nepal

Amid a debate of its effect, Indian government is at final stage of approval and endorsement of Food Security Bill 2013. Voices are coming equally in support or in against of this. Off course the activist for Right to Food are more than happy to praise it, but Nutritionist are opposing.  A level of discourse is prominently visible through media and newspaper.

First, they have planned to group the total population into two categories, Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL). Then, two third of total population who are comparatively poor will be provided Ration Card which will ensure subsidized food from the government.  Women empowerment is tried to ensure by distributing Ration Card in name of women compulsorily when at least 18 years old women is member of the family. The subsidized price of Rice will be no more than Rs 3 per Kg whereas Wheat will be Rs 2 per Kg and other Coarse Cereals Rs 1 per Kg for three years after commencement of the act and then after as fixed by central government which would not be higher than Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Wheat and Coarse Cereals and derived Minimum Support Price of Rice.

In a background of around 60 million undernourished children of the nation, providing nutritional food has been prioritized with some special ration provision for children and women. For the children of age 6 months to 3 years "Take Home Ration" is envisioned having 500 K cal calories and 12-14 g protein, whereas malnourished children of same age group will be provided with 800 K cal calories and 20-25 g protein per day. For the children of age group 3 to 6 years, "Morning Snacks and Hot Cooked Meal" will be provided having 500 K cal calories and 12-14 g protein per day. For children of lower primary classes ( up-to class 5) 450 K cal calories and 12 g protein will be provided as "Hot Cooked Meal" whereas same would be of 700 K cal calories and 20 g protein for upper primary classes ( up-to class 8 or 14 years).

Similarly, the special provision is also set for pregnant and lactating women up-to 6 months of childbirth. "Take Home Ration" having 600 K cal calories and 18-20 g protein will be provided to them per day.

Every activity comes with some opposition, so as is for this bill. The great debate comes from insufficiency of subsidy. Indian Medical Council has proposed yearly food of 168 Kg per person for an adult whereas this rate is 84 Kg for children. However, the present subsidy will cover only 5 Kg of food grain per month per person. Therefore, people are demanding more amount of subsidized food.

 Another major dissatisfaction is from farmers' body, especially small and marginal farmers. As the system will nationalize the agriculture by making government biggest buyer, hoarder and seller of food grains, it will distort market mechanism and bargaining power of small and marginal farmers. They oppose the bill as government is trying to work as a trader and not giving proper attention to them. The market price of food crop will be decreased, badly affecting the food grains producing farmers.

 Similarly, those who are in opposition of this act are claiming that subsidized food only to two third of total population cannot ensure food security of nation as a whole. They blame that distribution of food under Public Distribution System (PDS) has always been unfair and that will also be replicated now, diverting huge amount of food from needy to rich.

 The I/NGOs, UN agencies like UNICEF who are working for nutrition are suspecting the significance of the bill in food and nutrition security of people, as availability of food is insufficient to ensure food and nutrition security.  Other factors like clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are ignored in act, wasting huge amount of money without getting expected results.

 Food security experts themselves are suspecting the long-term effect in agriculture system. According to them, agriculture system will be jeopardized because producers will divert to cash crop from low margin food (cereal) crops cultivation, resulting long-term effect on overall food security situation of nation.

 To conclude with, having something is better than having nothing. Therefore, this bill would be extremely useful to needy. This ambitious plan, if implemented successfully, food and nutritional security problem of India would be minimized by a higher degree.

Lesson to Nepal

 Government of Nepal is presently working for distribution of Poverty Identity Card. The main objective of this ID card is to support the poor people of nation for enhancing their standard of living by providing special packages, programs and subsidies to them. Therefore, the initiative from government of India would be great lesson to us.

 Nepal's interim constitution has clearly explained Food Sovereignty and Food Security as basic right, so that government is responsible for ensuring food security of people. In conclusion, Nepal also requires special food and nutrition security package as of India, to solve the problem of rampant food insecurity persistent from many years back.