Javaid Naikoo
Early Times Report
Pulwama, Jan 21: Prevailing Governor rule over Jammu and Kashmir may make sure implementation of intensely politicized food security law after union government asked all states including Jammu and Kashmir to implement law by April this year. In a significant development, union food Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan according to reports has directed all states including Jammu and
Kashmir to implement food security law by April this year. Despite implementation of food security law in 25 states and union Territories of country, Jammu and Kashmir is among 11 states of country where implementation of food security law witnessed politicization from Political camps in recently winded up PDP-BJP government, following which implementation of law was deferred.
However, now when state is under Governor Rule and according to analysts barred from every kind of political interference, Food law in Jammu and Kashmir which already missed three deadlines by September 2015 may be implemented with letter and spirit by Governor N.N Vohra. After Fresh directives to states regarding implementation of law including Jammu and Kashmir, union Minister Ram vilas Paswan in Delhi today reportedly said that "When we came to power, the food law was implemented in only 11 states. Now, it has been rolled out in 25 states. All states and UTs, barring Tamil Nadu, will implement by April this year."
Pertinently food law was passed by Parliament during UPA government in 2013 and state governments were given one year of time to implement the law with letter and Spirit, yet since then Jammu and Kashmir is among 11 other states which missed the deadlines thrice. Jammu and Kashmir is among 11 other states including Gujarat, Kerala, Megalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Mizoram, Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Tamil Nadu which is yet to implement the food law.
As per details in recently winded up PDP-BJP government digitization of ration cards was started for making Public Distribution system leak proof and the step was important component of implementation of food law, however process was stopped immediately after implementation of law witnessed politicization from many circles. In addition to politics over the issue in now halted PDP-BJP government, dissent voices over implementation of food Security law among then finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu and then minister for CAPD, Chowdhry Zulfikar Ali according to sources also delayed implementation of Bill.
The national food security law as per guidelines is a law of the parliament of India which aims to provide food grains to approximately two thirds of country's1.2 billion people. Under the provisions of law, 75% of rural population and 50% of the urban population under Public Distributin System are entitled to 5 kilograms per person per month of rice, cereals and grains at rice Rupees 3per kg, wheat at Rupees 2 per kg and Coarse grains at Rupees1 per kg.
The guidelines of law reveal that states are responsible for determining eligibility criteria and people like Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious "take home ration" of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, while Children 6 months to 14 years of age are to receive free hot meals. The central government is bound to provide funds to states in case of short supplies of food grains and state governments will are responsible to provide a food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of food grains. |
