Seminar on Food Security Act held
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 20 2013 :
A day-long seminar on "Implementation of Food Security Act: Issues & Challenges" was held at Manipur Press Club under the aegis of the Seminar Committee, Irabot Celebration Committee (ICC), Manipur, today.
Speaking on the occasion as one of the resource persons, social activist Dr Dhanabir Laishram stated that with a view to abolish poverty in India, the Government of India has come up with the National Food Security Bill in the Parliament and was subsequently passed by both Houses of the Parliament.
According to the Food Security Act, 70 percent of the poor people in the rural areas and 50 percent of them in urban areas would be provided rice at the rate of Rs 3/kg.Five kg of rice at the rate of Rs 3/kg would be provided to poor people including children above the age of 6 years, on a monthly basis.
Though the Food Security Act seems to be the best means to eradicate poverty in the country, yet passing the Bill in the Parliament in a hasty manner by allowing discussing for just eight hours, has indicated that the Act was passed to woo the voters by the Congress, he maintained.
He also pointed out that though the Food Security Act is a good one, it is not clear and certain whether the Act will last for three years; whether it would really benefit the poor; whether it could provide the items at the rate during times of famine or floods and whether it would be able to stick to its promise when the value of rupees falls.
As such it is high time to discuss the Act in detail.
Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Prof M Iboton, former member of Manipur State Finance Commission, stated that though it has been more than 60 years India has gained independence, the people of the country have been suffering from food scarcity.
It is high time that the people of the country discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon because food is life and none can live without food.
The step taken up by the Indian Government to provide all the poor people of the country with rice at subsidised rate by passing the National Food Security Act is indeed a good approach and as such the people of the State should cooperate with the Government in implementing the Act in the State as well.
Presided over by N Mangi, Chairman of ICC, Manipur, the inaugural function of the seminar was also attended by Wahengbam Tiken, Editor of The People's Chronicle, as Guest of Honour.
The seminar was divided into two sessions.
The morning session was moderated by Prof M Iboton while the afternoon session by Dr MC Arun of Manipur University.
Dr Chinglen Maisnam, Economics Department, Manipur University and Dr L Debendra, Asst Prof in Economics Department, Manipur University were among the resource persons who presented papers.
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