The Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council “rejected” the views of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s expert panel on the proposed National Food Security Bill and approved a broad framework guaranteeing grains to around 75 per cent of the population.
The expert panel headed by PM’s economic advisory council chief C. Rangarajan had said “it was not possible to implement the NAC recommendations” citing problems related to availability of grains and the huge cost involved. According to the Rangarajan panel, the grain requirement in 2011 to roll out the right to food law would be 68.76 million tonnes against an availability of 56.35 mt and it would cost around `85,584 crores.
On Friday, the NAC went ahead with its recommendations to the PMO guaranteeing 35 kg food grains including rice, wheat, millets at `3, `2 and `1 per kg for the “priority group” covering 46 per cent households in rural areas and 28 per cent in urban areas. The advisory body also approved 20 kg food grains at half the price of the minimum support price (MSP) for the “general category”, covering 44 per cent households in rural areas and 22 per cent in urban areas.
The framework document approved by the NAC on Friday has been put up on its website for public comments. After incorporating the same, the NAC will prepare the draft National Food Security Bill.
As per the framework, 90 per cent of the rural areas and 50 per cent of the urban areas will be covered under the draft bill. The document will also support special schemes for women and children besides other vulnerable sections of society to widen the food security umbrella.
In order to ensure the food entitlements are realised, the NAC unveiled a detailed grievance redressal mechanism.