Food Security Ordinance doubtful in State?
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 25 2013:
Even as the UPA Government launched the National Food Security Ordi-nance with an ambitious vision to provide food grains abun-dantly at much cheaper prices across the country, how far the Ordinance would benefit the people of Manipur is still a big question.
According to information received from CAF&PD Department, selected beneficia- ries would be provided 5 Kgs of food grains every month at a highly subsidised rate.
Food grains listed in the National Food Security Ordinance includes rice, wheat and coarse grains.
As envisaged by the Ordinance, rice would be made available to selected beneficiaries at Rs 3 per Kg, wheat at Rs 2 per Kg and coarse grain at Re 1 per Kg.
Rice given to AAY benefi-ciaries under Public Distribu- tion System is priced at Rs 4 per Kg.
For BPL beneficiaries, the price of rice is Rs 6.65 and for APL beneficiaries, it is Rs 9.30 per Kg.
However, the Government is unable to provide rice to beneficiaries at these prices.
Usually rice is distributed to people at Rs 10 to 12 per Kg irrespective of whether one is beneficiary of AAY, BPL or APL.
The same variety of rice is sold Rs 18 to 20 at markets.
In addition, there are suspicions about some people trading rice in illegal manner.
Given the fact that the Go-vernment is unable to provide rice to people at the prices it prescribed, it is doubtful that people would get rice at Rs 3 per Kg.
It is also likely that the number of people trading rice in illegal manner would increase as the subsidy given on rice is huge.
In the event of such a scenario, there is a strong possibility of some unscrupulous people pocketing huge amounts in profit at the expense of the Government of India and the targeted population section.
Another possibility is political influence which may derail the whole programme.
Nevertheless, there would be some difference between PDS and the National Food Security Ordinance.
Under PDS, food grains are collected by agents and distributed to beneficiaries which leaves enough room for price manipulation.
But under National Food Security Ordinance, there would be doorstep delivery system through Targeted Public Distribution System outlets in addition to devising a close monitoring system.
In the meantime, CAF&PD Department is currently engaged in selection of beneficiaries.