Monday 29 July 2013

Food security scheme--how secure is it

We are about to launch Food Security scheme for the masses--67% of the Indian population. Can we give a fair distribution of food grains? For decades we have had "Fair Price Shops" or "Ration shops" which were distributing grains at subsidized rates for all citizens. Each family had a "Ration Card" by which he could get rice or wheat, sugar, kerosene or Liquid Petroleum Gas, sometimes cooking oil too. But it did not work out well, our grains were replaced by cheap sub-standard grains. And the shop owner sold our grains at higher rates. The FCI (Food Corporation of India) trucks which were delivering the grains were diverted to private granaries and our grains had never arrived at the shops. In a few states like Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, the scheme of Fair Price shops or PDS was very successful without any leakages. So there is no need of additional schemes. Three categories have been divided among the states which need food scheme most. First category does not need any help as already PDS is successful. Second category will get 50% of grains to be distributed from the central government. Other states which need most urgently will get 75% of required amount of grains from the central government. All this is arbitrary.
In the city of New Delhi, the food scheme will start from September 1,2013. In rest of the country, it will take six months to start the scheme of distribution. When there is computerization of PDS, there are no leakages. But now we are going to learn this all over again. This can go on for a little time only. When the grains in the storehouses become exhausted, we cannot give subsidized food grains. In place of it we will be giving cash so that poor people can buy grains (at the rate of 15 Rupees per kilogram) Once people become dependent on this scheme, we cannot make them independent of the government. Where is it taking us toward? Dependent population.

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