NAC discusses food security Bill

The government has moved closer to the views of civil society on the framework of the proposed food security Bill, by factoring in individual calorie needs rather than a family-based determination of food security.

The fifth meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) today was chaired by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and saw presentations made by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, as well as top government officials dealing with food security and child welfare.

The government has already agreed to have a universal public distribution system in rural areas, albeit in a phased manner, beginning with a few blocks.

Harsh Mander, convenor of the Working Group on the framework of the proposed Bill, said differences would gradually be bridged and the two sides would arrive at points of agreement.

The Right to Food campaign which Mander represents has questioned the basis on which 35 kg of grain has been fixed for every household by the food ministry in the proposed Bill.

The Indian Council of Medical Research norms require that an individual be provided 14 kg of cereal, 1.5 kg of dal and 800 ml of oil a month for an average moderately hardworking adult to survive and half of this for a child. The campaign had said that the capping of 35 kg was hence not acceptable. According to the campaign, 35 kg grain does not suffice even for a week for an average family.

Mander said the meeting today moved towards favouring individual entitlements, which is a step forward. However, no decisions were taken today, except to have further discussions before the proposal of the working group was finalised. The next meeting of NAC is scheduled for October 23.