National Food Security Bill

India, our country, is the world’s second largest populated country. It is true that most of the people in our country are still below pverty line.  Here comes a ray of hope. The Central Government is all set to make a historic law that will assure food security to almost 70 % of the total population of nearly 1.2 billion.

According to country’s Food and consumer affairs minister K V Thomas, Indian government hoped to bring 75 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population in the country under the coverage of the comprehensive food security programme by next year. In short, bulk of India's population will get legal right to subsidised food if this bill become a reality. After analysing the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and Rangarajan Committee, the food ministry has prepared the draft bill. It would be a landmark legislation that would make food security the right of all citizens of the country.

The cost of subsidising foodgrain under the proposed law is expected to touch Rs1,00,000 annually, as against the current Rs80,000 crore, sources added. From the stage they were in the mother's womb to the age of 14, the children should have access to nutritious food. So, all pregnant mothers too would be covered by anti-malnutrition component of the programme. It also makes it compulsory for state governments to pay a cash allowance to targeted sections in case of failure to supply foodgrain. The ministry has also proposed to provide subsidised food grain on 'individual basis' instead of the current practice of allocating 35kg of wheat or rice to per family.