Even as the Central government is gearing up to launch the Food Security Act from the next financial year, states that have a big role to play in the successful operation of the programme seem to be oblivious to the initiative.
Officials sources said only six-seven states have sent in their responses to the draft food security Bill formulated by the food ministry, even as the last date for sending the comments was September 30.
The draft of the Bill was put up by the Union food ministry on its website for some weeks to elicit comments, suggestions and response from all stakeholders, including states.
However, barring Bihar and West Bengal, none of the big states has sent in their responses to the food ministry.
In fact, Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, had sent in a letter to union food minister, K V Thomas, a few days back to incorporate provisions like putting in place an independent commission for ascertaining the number of beneficiaries and cash transfer to them in the draft food security Bill.
Apart from Bihar and West Bengal, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar islands have sent in their responses to the food security Bill. Andhra Pradesh has sought more time to send its views, said officials.
Given that much of the provisions in the Bill would have to be implemented through the states, their views are critical.
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The draft food security Bill seeks to provide legal entitlement for grains to 75 per cent of the rural households in the country and 50 per cent of urban household.
Almost 68 per cent of the country’s estimated total population of 120 crore will have legal entitlement for grains after the Bill is enacted.
States will have a definite role in identification of priority and general category households, obligation to take delivery of foodgrains supplied by the central government from its designated depots and also ensuring their timely and proper delivery to the targeted beneficiaries at the prescribed prices.
Under the draft Bill, states are also obliged to pay food security allowance to the targeted beneficiaries, in case the adequate quantities of grains or cooked meal are not available for distribution.
The draft also mandates states to set up their own grievance redressal mechanisms and food security commission to ensure proper implementation of the provisions.
Meanwhile, to ensure that states do come on the board on this vital piece of legislation, officials said the food ministry is planning to write a letter to all the chief ministers soliciting their views and could even push for a meeting of state food ministers before sending the draft Bill for Parliament’s approval.
Earlier, too, some states have shown reluctance in lifting additional grains allocated to them by the central government, which created huge storage problems for the Food Corporation of India (FCI).