Describing the food security bill as 'unilateral' measure, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today urged the centre to foot the entire cost for its implementation, as many states, including Bihar, will be hard pressed to generate resources to meet their share.
"The food security bill is not only unilateral in nature, but the centre has arrogated to itself to fix criteria for potential beneficiaries and framework for implementation of the measure in states that has put many state governments in unenviable position to meet their share of cost to ensure food security of their citizens," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 'Janata Durbar.
Modi slammed the centre for brushing aside suggestions for widening ambit of beneficiaries under the food security bill to accommodate inclusion of 90 per cent population of Bihar residing in rural areas as well as for full central funding of the measure in view of huge cost of implementation of the measure.
"How will we meet the centre's criteria to provide five kg foodgrain per person per month to 75 per cent priority households in rural areas and 50 per cent in urban areas when about 89-90 per cent of our people live in rural areas?" he said.
"Similarly, how will we generate resources to meet our share of cost for providing provisions like food allowance to the identified households in the event of non-distribution of required foodgrain and putting in place institutional framework like appointment of the district grievance redressal officer, state food commission, vigilance committee, besides enhancement of food storage capacity and revitalisation of agriculture sector? he asked.
