FOOD SECURITY ACT
The difficulty in identifying target families was daunting. The estimates of those who are below BPL vary from committee to committee Saxena Committee, Tendulkar Committee and Planning Commission forecast are all at variance States have their own statistical tools to estimate those who are below BPL. Dr.Ahuluwalia suggested that states should be asked to finance the scheme beyond what is estimated by the Planning commission, Kamal Nath's assertion that Planning commission is an armchair advisor is an apt description. In a brilliant article in The Hindu its rural editor Sainath has questioned as to how the Government is able to meet the huge revenue give aways to Industry. Sonia Gandhi's trusted aide Jean Dreeze and architect of Green Revolution Dr.MS Swaminathan call for universalization of the Food Security act.
Sonia Gandhi who was able to somehow squeeze her other two pet schemes Rural Employment Guarantee and Urban Renewal mission finds it a little difficult to push through this unique scheme with the supposedly manouverable Prime Minister who resists this for reasons other than finding finances. NAC has now settled for a gradual introduction of this scheme to begin with in 25% of most vulnerable Districts. This exclusive agenda is pernicious and will defeat the social objective of providing succor to the vulnerable across the country. Finding finances to the extent of Rs 1 lac crores may not be that difficult as it is hardly 2% of GDP. The sops extended to Industry are far more. This crucial legislation should not be watered down to meet the social objective of providing and ensuring hunger free India. Statistics reveal that districts in 8 Indian states have poverty levels worse than Saharan Africa. Sonia should put her foot forward and get this universalised.
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