Shillong, July 19: With the implementation of Food Security programme in the country by the UPA government which came into effect on July 5 this year, all state governments were directed to implement the scheme within 180 days from the date of notification and this also implies for the state government of Meghalaya.
It was also learnt that non implementation of the scheme by any state is liable to pay the food security allowance.
The food security programme aimed at eradicating hunger and providing food to 82 crore citizen in the country. This scheme will cover 75 % percent of population of the total rural population of India and 50 % population of the total urban population of India which implies that 67% percent of India’s population will be covered under the scheme.
Congress leader and Haryana minister for industries and commerce Randeep Singh Surjewala who is on a visit to the state of Meghalaya while addressing media persons informed that under this scheme the citizen of the country will be entitled to 726 lakh tonnes of wheat or rice every year at a cost 1.25 crore rupees approximately.
“The cost for procurement of food grains will be from the central government and without any burden to the state government”, Surjewala said.
The Food Security Bill is a leap of faith for the poorest, the hungry and down trodden in rural and urban India grunting them right to food and right to nutrition. It unleashes ‘an every green revolution’ for India’s farming community and makes sound health, food and nutrition as fundamentals for propelling economic development in the country.
The Bill also envisages two-tier grievance redressal mechanism that is district grievance redressal officer (DGRO) and State Food Commission (SFC).
Singh informed that their function is to monitor and evaluate implementation of the Bill, advise the state governments with power of civil court to look into and punish violations.
“SFC even has power to impose penalty up to rupees 5000 on any authority or officer for not complying with the orders besides referring the matter to magistrate for trial.
Also aiming at giving empowerment to women, under this bill will recognize the role of women by envisaging that the head of the household for purposes of ration card shall be the eldest women of the family above 18 years of age in place of male member.
Coming to the context of Meghalaya Singh said that it is fortunate for the state of Meghalaya in a way that the implementation of this scheme will be based on teh 2011 census.
As per 2011 census the population of the state of Meghalaya is 29 lakh 64 thousand. For BPL and APL and AAY families the current allocation of 35 kg per family at the rate of 3 rupees per kg of rice or 2 rupees per kg per of wheat will be protected.
Besides, he also said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma the implementation of the scheme will be done at its best and citizen will benefit out of it.(SP News)
