With the UPA government getting ready to roll out its ambitious national food security ordinance (NFSO), India’s first-ever independent evaluation office has started evaluating the targeted public distribution dystem (TPDS) to find out innovative ways to distribute subsidised food to 67 per cent of India’s population.
Talking to reporters here, director-general of independent evaluation office (IEO) Ajay Chhibber said, “We have to find out ways through which the cost incurred in handling and distribution of foodgrains can be brought down and also whether there can be any innovative way to distribute the food subsidy, which can also include cash.” Intending to assess the impact of government policies, Mr Chhibber, who took charge of the office last week, said IEO would help in improving their effectiveness.
He also said the IEO will not only undertake evaluation of Central schemes, but can evaluate projects and programmes under PPP mode as well. The first report of the IEO is expected in the next one-year.
“It will have the freedom to conduct independent evaluation of any programme which has access to public funding or implicit or explicit guarantees from the government,” Mr Chhibber said.
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DMK won’t back food bill in current form
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Aug. 12
Political parties have been speaking on the Food Security Bill in “ifs” and “buts” while backing while backing it in-principle.
Political parties have also decided to give amendments to the bill but it will be interesting to see whether they oppose the bill on the floor and stage a walkout if the government refuses to incorporate their amendments.
As per the reports even the DMK is refusing to back the bill in the current form. On the other hand, the SP on Monday said it will support the bill in Parliament if the amendments, including giving due price to farmers and changing the definition of those below the poverty line (BPL), suggested by it, are accepted.
“We have made certain suggestions like farmers should get 100 per cent guaranteed price for their crop. We also want the definition of below the poverty line to be changed so that more poor people are included. Free grains should be provided to the poorest,” Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Aggarwal told reporters outside Parliament House.