The Hindu : New Delhi News : Protest rally planned against National Food Security Act

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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009
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New Delhi

Protest rally planned against National Food Security Act

Staff Reporter

NGOs, individuals to demand a comprehensive legislation guaranteeing access to safe and adequate food to all

NEW DELHI: Rejecting the United Progressive Alliance Government’s proposed National Food Security Act, the Right to Food Campaign, an informal network of organisations and individuals supporting the right to food in India, will take out a rally in the Capital this Thursday demanding a comprehensive legislation guaranteeing access to safe and adequate food to all.

From 18 States

A large number of workers, farmers, grassroots change agents, human rights groups, child rights groups and women’s organisations from 18 States are expected to come together for the rally. They will assemble at Mandi House before marching to Jantar Mantar.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, RFC convener Kavita Srivastava said: “The Government’s proposal to provide 25 kg of food grains at Rs.3 per kg to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families through the National Food Security Act is not acceptable to us. We demand a comprehensive legislation that ensures food security for all and the universalisation of the Public Distribution System. Each adult must be entitled to 14 kg of cereals per month, along with 1.5 kg of pulses and 800 gm cooking oil. Also, the procurement, storage and distribution of food should be decentralised.”

‘Food first’ policy

Stating that the Government should follow the “food first” policy, Ms. Srivastava said the authorities should stop forcible diversion of land, water and forests from food production and the first call on all natural resources must be for food: “We demand that the Centre incorporate the Right to Food Campaign’s working draft of the ‘Food Entitlements Bill’ in its own draft Bill.”

Vandana Prasad of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said the large number of malnourished children in India was “a symbol of obscene inequity and injustice” and the Government should continue the mid-day meal scheme during vacations and extend it to all out-of-school children.

Defending the demand to bring everyone under the PDS, economist Jean Dreze argued that classification of people as BPL and otherwise was divisive and experience showed that several poor people were bound to be left out in this approach.

Political will

New Trade Union Initiative vice-president D. Thankappan emphasised the need for political will power to make the Right to Food a reality.

National Federation of Indian Women general secretary Annie Raja said all food-related documents, including ration cards, should be issued in the name of women.

“The Government should ensure social and economic access to food without any discrimination and create an atmosphere for availability of food without depending on imports.”

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