Setting aside differences within, the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council recommended the rollout of the proposed National Food Security Act in a phased manner in around 160 of the poorest of poor districts or blocks, providing 35 kg of grains at Rs 3 per kg to every household.
The NAC has also put aside the government-approved Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill of 2005 and decided to prepare a fresh draft incorporating the concerns of civil society groups.
The NAC said the objective of the draft communal violence Bill was not to empower the state and Central government but to ensure action and accountability of public authorities for the prevention and control of communal and sectarian violence which threatens the physical, social, economic, cultural, political and human security of citizens and the unity and secular fabric of the country.
The NAC said the draft legislation requires provisions to ensure speedy investigation, prosecution and punishment of those engaging in communal and sectarian crimes; justice and security to victims and survivors; the guarantee of the rights of victims and survivors to comprehensive rescue and relief, rehabilitation compensation restitution and reparation.
As for the food bill, the NAC agreed that its beneficiaries will also include the urban poor. The advisory body also agreed to work out schemes to ensure nutrition for the other vulnerable sections of society, including street children, pregnant women and HIV patients.
The NAC asked the working group on food security to work out details of improving agricultural production, procurement and storage of grains and the cost involved in these operations. The working group will come up with its views during the next meting of the NAC on August 30.
In the remaining districts/blocks, coverage of universal PDS with differentiated entitlements, in terms of quantity and issue price, would progressively be expanded to all rural areas in the country over a reasonable period of time. Besides, existing allocations for APL should not be reduced, the NAC recommended.