Bill promises
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2013: The proposed Food Security Act would provide Minimum Support Price to more farmers for implementation of the Act would require greater procurement of food grains and more farmers would get the benefits of MSP operations.

Food grain requirement for the implementation of the bill is estimated at 614.3 lakh ton-nes as against the existing re- quirement of 563.7 lakh tonnes for Targeted Public Distribution System.

After implementation of the proposed Act, about 75 per cent people in villages would get wheat at the rate of Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 per kg.

But farmers would get more for their produce i.e.Rs 12.85 per kg for wheat and Rs 12.50 per kg for paddy as minimum support price.

Access to highly subsidi-zed food grains to small far- mers under proposed Food Security Act and assured MSP for their produce would ease the burden on their earnings and allow them the op- tion to spend the money so saved on other necessities.

Hence it would help improve their quality of life.

Therefore, contrary to dissuading farmers from producing more, the Act would encourage them to produce more, claimed a press release issued by PIB, Government of India.

Two-third of the population would become legally en- titled to receive highly subsidized food grains after the en- actment of the Food Security Bill.

Each entitled person would receive 5 kg of food grains per month i.e.rice, wheat or coarse grains at Rs 3, Rs 2 and Re 1 per kg respectively.

The poorest of the poor will continue to get 35 kgs food grains per household per month under AAY.

The bill has special focus on nutritional needs of wo-men and children.

The eldest woman of the household above 18 years is considered the head of the household for the purpose of issue of ration cards as per provisions of the Bill.

Pregnant women and lactating mothers would get maternity benefit of Rs.6000 besides nutritious food.

Children below 14 years of age would get food with higher nutritional norms.

On the issue of redressing grievances that may arise in implementation of such a massive programme, it has been planned to give an increased role for Panchayati Raj institutions and women's self help groups in programme-monitoring and social auditing.

There would be provision for internal grievance redressal mechanism including call centres and helplines; and District Grievance Redressal Officers and State Food Commission for expeditious and effective relief to the people, it added.

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