Letters: On insecure footing

T N Ninan’s column correctly pointed out the deleterious consequences of the proposed food security legislation (Indira Gandhi redux, July 30). There could be a diversion of land from food to non-food crops. However, small and marginal farmers who grow cereals for consumption would continue to do so and sell these at the remunerative support prices only to buy them from PDS shops. Such arbitrage opportunities may be justified because they benefit the disadvantaged sections of society. But think of the additional procurement and distribution problems and the consequential fiscal deficit. Though everyone wants the poor to consume protein-rich foods, the government should think of augmenting its supply before implementing the scheme. The best way to ensure food security is to usher in a second Green Revolution but nothing much is being done on this front.

A Seshan, Chennai

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