Raman seeks nutrition security in proposed food bill

Seeking amendments in the proposed food security legislation, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today said more provisions like nutrition security should also be added to it to make it a complete package.
"My suggestion is that some provisions should be added. It should not be confined to food security only and should be linked to nutrition security also. Like iodised salt, grams and pulses and edible oil can also be added in it so that it would be a total package," Singh told a seminar here.
Differing with the Centre over the quantity of food grains and the methodology for implementing the scheme, he said, "While the Centre says a person should be considered as a unit we say not a person but the entire family should be considered as a unit and each family should get 35 kg rice or wheat."

The Centre's ordinance ensures supply of only 5 kg food grain per person, while Chhattisgarh Food and Nutrition Security Act, passed by state assembly in December last year, gives right to avail supply of 35 kg of food grains to each eligible family.
It may be okay in Delhi but five kg rice for a person in Dantewada is not sufficient, he said.
Extending support to the proposed bill, he, reiterated that there is a need for certain amendments but "there is no conflict of interest between Chhattisgarh and the Centre over the national food security bill".

However, Singh said he is opposed to the cash transfer scheme. I do not approve the cash transfer scheme. The Rs 600 will have less value after four years."

He also said empty stomach does not require iron tablets. "Centre should ensure nutrition security. We are doing it in Chhattisgarh. Roads and flyovers can be constructed tomorrow also. But nutrition should be added in food security bill."
Singh suggested to make the system broadbased with the inclusion of landless farmers, differently abled persons and widows should also be included in the list.