The Food Security Bill that is awaiting passage in Parliament embodies the hopes of almost 67 per cent of Indian households that are below the poverty line for access to affordable foodgrains they can get under this programme.
It is a gigantic task, never attempted anywhere in the world. It will be a game-changer not only for BPL families entitled to subsidised food, but will also boost the economy as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme did, putting extra purchasing power in the hands of the poor. Analysts at Crisil Research estimate this programme could generate extra savings of `4,400 this year for every BPL household — money they would have spent on buying food in the open market as they couldn’t get access to the PDS due to the inefficiencies and corruption in the system.
The government, however, has to show a lot more commitment, management efficiency and political will while implementing this programme than it did with NREGA, the UPA’s flagship project. That scheme could not see its full potential due to rampant corruption and the disinterest of many state governments in carrying out productive schemes under NREGA. These shortcomings can be avoided if the committee for effective implementation of flagship programmes of Sonia Gandhi’s National Advisory Council is tasked to monitor implementation of the programme. The Food Security Programme has been given `10,000 crores in the 2013-14 Budget: if it is to succeed, the implementing agencies must be made accountable.