National food security Act future in limbo
States are not doing enough to make it a success, says Centre
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-11 03:14 GMT
New Delhi: The National Food Security Act, a showpiece of the UPA-II, seems headed for an uncertain future. Even after the three month extension in the deadline to implement it ends in a few days, the Centre on Wednesday blamed the states for not doing enough for its nationwide rollout.
Union food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said while only 11 states had so far launched it, but in reality only one or two states had implemented it fully.
The minister dropped enough hints suggesting that the law in its current shape may be tough to roll out in the months ahead. “Some of states have come forth with numerous complaints against the Food Security Act. Tamil Nadu said it already has a universal food security law, West Bengal too wants it on similar lines,” added Mr Paswan.
He also stated that there are issues involved in the law, including the capping foodgrains entitlement to 5 kg a person a month, while under the public distribution system (PDS) a family is currently getting 35 kg a month. “If a family has five members, it will get only 25 kg,” said Mr Paswan. He sought to suggest that the states have not yet identified beneficiaries and have neither decided on the criteria.