The Food Security Bill (FSB), which had been in the works since UPA took office for the second time in 2009, finally received the nod from the cabinet in March. But, contrary to expectations, it was panned by many sections of the press. An editorial in The Indian Express implied that the bill had a fundamental flaw, while the one in Mint explained why it will not work. The bill received adverse reactions from the aam admi too, as was evident by the comments readers of the Financial Press left on the website.
But the FSB is not an idea that the government came up with overnight. It’s been debated over several years and across several platforms. Then why is India’s biggest social welfare policy measure facing such flak?
THE ORIGIN OF THE CAMPAIGN
The right to food campaign started when the Rajasthan unit of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in April 2001 demanding that the country’s food stocks be used to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. The prolonged battle between the PUCL and the Union of India led to many “interventions”, like instituting food commissioners, to ensure universalisation of welfare schemes like mid-day meals for schoolchildren.
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(This story appears in the 03 May, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
I think FSB should be accepted as it is a stepping stone for our country to be malnourished free and a healthy one. No doubt there will be some people disagreeing 2 it at first.
on Dec 26, 2015yes,food security bill will have a hunger free India.
on Feb 11, 2014It's(FSB) slogan says food for all, it is an act of social welfare. But its proper implemetation is a difficult task, it may lead to corruption. It can still prove to be a boon if implemented properly
on Jan 8, 2014ya,its good for country but not for citizens,becoz we don,t have proper food to give,no proper technology, no perfect control, most of people facing many problems like poverty, low food, and most important problem which is corruption.
on Sep 24, 2013mk gandhi said b the change dat u want...aap bhrastachar ni karenge to kaha se hoga
on Sep 28, 2013it is a new trend for black marketing in pds system .implementation of this type of work is very difficult for india govt.
on Aug 29, 2013Implementation of this type of procedings suffer in india due to corruption !so for success of food srcurity bill requires monthly report to be submitted by head of district administrators periodicaly
on Aug 27, 2013good and analysed prospection
on Aug 17, 2013Ya surely the things are going in a positive way but there are lot of constraint in proper implementation of policy the conventional way of providing stuff is totally currupt and still the policymakers relying on it......
on Jun 1, 2013.....Food Security bill will create corruption!! https://brainsickthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/lord-of-corruption-ring-food-security-bill/
on May 25, 2013Lipton defined ultra-poverty as receiving less than 80 percent of minimum caloric intake whilst spending more than 80% of income on food. Alternatively a 2007 report issued by International Food Policy Research Institute defined ultra-poverty as living on less than 54 cents per day. India not only has people who do not get enough food but also an overwhelming number of undernourished children.About 50 per cent of all childhood deaths are attributed to malnutrition as per UNICEF India\'s website. Experts have rightly pointed the tendency of farmers to prioritize Wheat and Rice after the implementation of the bill. This can lead to a terrifying upsurge in malnutrition deaths. Yes we need a security bill. But has this bill been cursory?
on May 23, 2013When can we have a drinking water Security bill
on May 20, 2013IT IS GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF IT\'S IMPLEMENTATION IS GOING TO BE IN RIGHT HANDS.FABULOUS POST BY MAGAZINE WITH BEST KNOWHOW OF FSB WITH A SOUND TAGLINE does it only make politically correct noises?
on May 16, 2013Don\'t you think this bill will increase the number of lazy people in India. Eligible people for this bill is BPL, most unemployed. If they get food for free or such a less price. They will not bother to study or educate themselves or get some job and improve their lifestyle. This will also give rise to slums in urban cities like Mumbai, Delhi, etc. Politicians will never remove slums for vote and people will not move from slums as they are happy as they are getting basic needs in city of mumbai without doing anything. I think this Bill should never get passed or it should have some very strict policies.
on May 15, 2013