FOOD security in INDIA Flashcards
Food security in INDIA.
Food security refers to ensuring adequate food supply to people, especially those who are deprived of basic nutrition. Food security has been a major concern in India. According to UN-India, there are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India, which is a quarter of the world’s hunger burden. Also, roughly 43% of children in India are chronically undernourished. India ranks 71 out of 113 major countries in terms of food security index 2020. Though the available nutritional standard is 100% of the requirement, India lags far behind in terms of quality protein intake at 20% which needs to be tackled by making available protein-rich food products such as soybeans, lentils, meat, eggs, dairy, etc. at affordable prices. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative[3] finds that India is doing 56.8% of what should be possible at its level of income for the right to food.
LAWS related to food security in INDIA?
In order to provide the Right to food to every citizen of the country, the Parliament of India, enacted a legislation in 2013 known as the National Food Security Act, 2013. Also called as the Right to Food Act, this Act seeks to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s 1.33 billion population. It was signed into law on 10 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.
CENTRAL initiatives.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1965 for the purpose of procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrains. It has been playing a major role in the food security of India.
The National Food Security Act,2013 (NFSA 2013) converts into legal entitlements for existing food security programmes of the Government of India. It also includes the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services scheme and the Public Distribution System. In 2017-18, over Rs 1500 billion (7.6% of the government’s total expenditure) have been allocated to provide food subsidies under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
The NFSA 2013 also recognizes maternity entitlements. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain categories of children are eligible for daily free cereals.
STATE initiatives.
Karnataka has launched the ‘Indira Canteen’, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a very low price. This idea was implemented by Siddaramaiah as CM so that no one in the state would go hungry and everyone would get healthy food.
Andhra Pradesh has supported the Nalabothu Foundation, which provides free meals to people in need by redistributing excess food from homes, restaurants, businesses, canteens, and gatherings. This scheme was brought to national attention by Prime Minister Modi.
Tamil Nadu has launched ‘Amma Unavagam’ (Mother’s canteen), or more commonly known as Amma canteen. The genesis of this program could be traced to the scheme proposed by Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute in 2012.
The State of UP in 2013 passed a food bill. Food that is going to be wasted from parties will be preserved and distributed to poor and needy people.[citation needed]
The Chhattisgarh Food Security Act, 2012 law was enacted by the Chhattisgarh government. It was passed on 21 December 2012, by the State Assembly unopposed to ensure “access to adequate quantity of food and other requirements of good nutrition to the people of the State, at affordable prices, at all times to live a life of dignity.
