ROLE OF GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA. Golden Research Thoughts Impact Factor : (UIF) Volume-3 Issue-11 May-2014

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1 ROLE OF GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA Devindrappa. K, T. Gurubasappa.R Research scholar, Department of Studies and Research in Economics. Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, , (Karnataka). Associate Professor and Head, PG Dept of Economics, Govt. College Gulbarga,(Karnataka) Abstract. Food is the basic necessity of life for survival and livelihood for a healthy and productive life. Jawaharlal Nehru said in 1947,"everything else can wait, but not agriculture"; as such government of India is making its efforts to ensure proper food to the poor people in affordable prices at large through its various schemes. This study focuses on to know the food and nutrition security, and role of the government schemes in ensuring food security to the poor people in India. The schemes covered under this study includes Public Distribution System (PDS), Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Annapoorna Scheme, Mid-day Meals scheme (MDM), Indian National Food Security Act 2013 (INFSA), and also Right to Food Act. Keywords: Food security, PDS, TPDS, AAY, MDMS, and Annapurna scheme etc. 1. INTRODUCTION The food security is one of the important instruments to providing food to all, because it is the level of each individual child, woman and man is the first requirement for a healthy and productive life. Jawaharlal Nehru had said in 1947,"everything else can wait, but not agriculture", and it is the basic necessity of life; Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active life. as such government of India is making its efforts to ensure proper food to the society in affordable prices at large through its various schemes. The Public Distribution System (PDS), Targeted Public Page 1

2 Distribution System (TPDS), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY),Annapurna Scheme, Mid-day Meals scheme (MDM), Indian National Food Security Act, 2013( INFSA), Also Right to Food Act, these schemes are plays an important role in providing food security to poor people in India. The Indian national food security act was signed into law September 12, 2013, retroactive to July 5, 2013, This law aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India s (1.2 billion) people. Under the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries are able to purchase 5 kilograms per eligible person per month of cereals at the following prices rice at 3 Rs per kg, wheat at 2 Rs per kg coarse grain. India s Public Distribution System (PDS) was introduced during the Second World War for food security concerns in the face of scarcity, with the intention of maintaining price stability and checking dishonest practices in private trade. 2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: This study is based on the below objectives. 1. To know the food and nutrition security in India. 2. To study the role of the government schemes in ensuring food security to the poor people in India. 3. METHODOLOGY OF STUDY: This study is based on secondary data. The secondary data is collected through reputed journals, books, internet, periodicals, government reports, working papers, Department. of food and public Distribution and Consumer affairs, etc. 4. FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN INDIA. Food security refers to the ensuring of food for all. It is the most important step to eradicate absolute mass poverty and create a foundation for growth and development of a society. Food security refers to access for people, especially poor who are below the poverty line, to adequate necessary food for a normal life. Food security is a social concept dealing with community needs. The Planning Commission of India has recognised the importance of optimal nutrition for health and human development. At the time of Independence the country faced two major nutritional problems. One was the threat of famine and the resultant acute starvation due to low agricultural production and the lack of an appropriate food distribution system. The other was chronic energy deficiency. The country has adopted multi-sectoral, multipronged strategy to combat these problems and to improve the nutritional status of the population. Successive Five-Year Plans laid down the policies and strategies for achieving these goals. Over the years, there has been improvement in access to food through the PDS, in spite of its aberrations; the food for work programme has addressed the needs of the vulnerable out-of-work persons. The ICDS programme aimed at providing food supplementation for pre-school children, pregnant and lactating women. The Mid-day-meal programme aimed at improving the dietary intake of primary school children and reduction in the school dropout rates has been operationalised. There has been substantial improvement in access to health care. National programmes for tackling anaemia, iodine deficiency disorders and Vitamin-A deficiency are being implemented. As a result of all these interventions, there has been a substantial reduction in severe grades of under-nutrition in children and some improvement in the nutritional status of all the segments of population. However several challenges remain to Page 2

3 meet all the nutritional needs of the growing population. The country will have to produce an extra five million tonnes of food grains annually and increase the production of livestock of fish and horticultural products gm per day in the previous year The per capita net availability of food grains was 444 gm per day in 2009, gm per day in 2010 and gm per day in The production of food grains has increased to a record million tonnes in the crop year (July- June) from million tonnes in the previous year In the crop year, food grains production stood at million tonnes. Rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses fall under the food grains category. 5. ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY TO THE POOR PEOPLE IN INDIA: 5.1 Public Distribution system (PDS): The Public Distribution System (PDS) evolved as a system of management of scarcity and for distribution of food grains at affordable prices. Over the years, PDS has become an important part of Government s policy for management of food economy in the country. PDS is supplemental in nature and is not intended to make available the entire requirement of any of the commodities distributed under it to a household or a section of the society. PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments. The Central government, through Food Corporation India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of food grains to the State Governments. The operational responsibility including allocation within State, identification of families below the poverty line(bpl), issue of Ration Cards and supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPS) rest with the State Governments. Presently under the PDS, the commodities namely wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution, Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as cloth, pulses, salt and tea, etc. PDS has more than Fair Price Shops (FPS) in all over the country and it distribute each year commodities worth more than Rs. 15,000 corer to about 16 corer families. The PDS had substantially contributed to the containment of rise in food grains prices and ensured access of food to urban consumers. As the national agricultural production had grown in aftermath of Green Revolution, the outreach of PDS was extended to tribal blocks and areas of high incidence of poverty in the 1970s and 1980s. Revamped Public distribution System (PDS) was launched in June 1992 in 1775 block throughout the country with a view to strengthen and streamline the PDS as well as to improve its reach in the for flange, hilly, remote and in accessible fair price shops (FPS) in the identified areas. These areas specific programmes such as the Drought prone areas programmes (DPAP), Integrated Tribal development Project (ITDP), Desert Development Programme (DDP) and certain Designated Hill Areas (DHA) identified in consultation with State Governments for Special focus, with respect to improvement of the PDS infrastructure. Food grains for distribution in RPDS areas issued to the states at 50 paisa below the Central issue price. The scale of issues was up to 20 Kg per card. 5.2 Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): Public Distribution System was widely criticised for its failure to serve the population below the poverty line, its urban bias, negligible coverage in the States with the highest Page 3

4 concentration of the rural poor and lack of transport and accountable arrangements for delivery. Realising this scheme, the Govt of India has introduced the TPDS scheme w.e.f Under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Government allocates food grains (rice and wheat) at the rate of 35 kg. Per family per month to States/Union Territories (UTs) for 6.52 crore accepted number of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, which includes about 2.43 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, for distribution at subsidized prices through Fair Price Shops (FPSs). Allocation of food grains to about crore Above Poverty Line (APL) families are also made depending upon the availability of food grains in the Central pool and the past off take. Presently, the allocation of food grains to APL families ranges between 15 and 35 kg per family per month. Stock of food grains Under TPDS. The current level of stock of food grains is adequate to meet the requirement of grains as per the existing level of allocations under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the India's Food Minister K.V.Thomas said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha in 27 Feb 2013, the stock of food grains (rice and wheat) in India's central pool as on 1 February2013, was lakhs tonns comprising lakh tonns of rice and lakh tonns of wheat. 5.3 Antyodaya Anna Yojana, (AAY). Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is an Indian government sponsored scheme for ten million of the poorest families. It was launched by NDA government in December It is on the lookout for the 'poorest of the poor' by providing them 35 kilos of rice and wheat at Rs.3 & Rs.2 per kg respectively. The objective of the scheme is to ensure food security to the poorest of the poor. Originally at the time of introduction of AAY scheme, each beneficiary was given 25 kg per month at the rate of Rs.3 per kg. This has been increased to 35 kg of rice per card per month at the rate of Rs.2 per kg through the fair price shops from November 2006 onwards. 5.4 Annapurna Scheme: The Annapurna scheme has been launched by the government of India, with effect from 1st April, It aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those Senior Citizens who though eligible have remained uncovered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS). Under the Annapurna Scheme, 10 Kg of food grains per month are to be provided 'free of cost to the beneficiary. The age of the applicant (male or female) should be 65 years or above. The National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) was introduced as a 100 per cent Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th August Under this scheme about 60 lakh old people get monthly pension ranging from Rs 100 to 250 per month. The NOAPS has been a successful scheme. About one-third of the beneficiaries were found to be neglected by their off spring or were living alone and another one-third were found to have a dependent (mostly spouse) and in remaining cases, the beneficiaries did not have a regular source of income. However, in some States, the benefits were distributed once in two months and in some others there was no fixed frequency for distribution. Government of India decided to extend this scheme to another 10 lakh old people but give them only 10 kg of food grain, either wheat or rice free of charge every month. The budget allocation during , which was the first year of its operation was 100 crores Page 4

5 but only Rs/ crore could be spent. Table no. 1. Allocation/offtake of food grains under the scheme during the 10th Plan period and during the first four years of the 11th Plan , , , and current year are as under: (Figures in lakh tonns) YEARS ALLOCATION OFFTAKE RICE WHEAT TOTAL RICE WHEAT TOTAL Source: Dept. Of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of consumer Affairs and Public- Distribution, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. 5.5 Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS): In keeping with the Constitutional provisions to raise the level of nutrition of children and enable them to develop in a healthy manner, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a centrally sponsored scheme in Commonly referred to as MDMS, this was expected to enhance enrolment, retention, attendance of children in schools apart from improving their nutritional levels. This was extended to upper primary (classes VI to VIII) children in 347 Economically Backwards blocks (EBBs) in 2007 and then universalised at the elementary level in the year The scheme is implemented through the States/UTs; MDMS is managed and implemented by School Management/Village Education Committees, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Self-Help Groups. MDMS now includes Madarasas and Maktabs supported under the SSA as well as children under the National Child Labour Projects. A detailed survey of implementation of intended nutritional values including calorific value, protein inclusion, additional nutritional supplements and vitamins, as detailed in the scheme, needs to be carried out to ensure that the nutrition scheme is implemented in both spirit and letter. MDMS covered 7.18 crore primary school children and 3.36 crore upper primary school children in The coverage of children in the States of Bihar (43 per cent), UP (57 per cent) and Jharkhand (58 per cent) is below the national average of 72 per cent, whereas it is well above the national average in Chhattisgarh (83 per cent) and Odisha (82 per cent). Based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget of the States/UTs for the year , the district-wise performance of the MDMS in all the States/UTs has been analysed and the poor performing districts (144) have been identified of focused attention of the poor performing districts, 17 are in areas affected by the Left Wing Extremism (LWE); 11 in the North Eastern States (Tripura 3, Meghalaya 4, Assam 4); 17 in tribal districts, and 13 in Page 5

6 the hilly areas (Uttarakhand 4, Jammu &Kashmir is 9). Table no. 2 Achievement of MDMS during the period to Components Children up to covered (in ( ) Crore) Food grain allocated (in lakh MTs) Budget allocation (in Crore) Total Exp (in Crore) (upto ) *Primary and Upper Primary combined. Source: Annual Report, , Department of School Education & Literacy Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, p Indian National Food Security Act, 2013 (INFSA). The Indian National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act), was signed into law September 12, This law aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India's 1.2 billion people. Under the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries are to be able to purchase 5 kilograms per eligible person per month of cereals at the following prices; Rice is at Rs.3 per kg. Wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and coarse grains (millet) are at Rs.1 per kg. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain categories of children are eligible for daily free meals. The bill has been highly controversial. It was introduced into India's parliament in December 2012, promulgated as a presidential ordinance on July 5, 2013, and enacted into law in August Salient features of Indian National Food Security Act, % rural and 50% of the urban population are entitled for three years from enactment to five kg food grains per month at Rs.3, Rs2,Rs 1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains (millet), respectively; 2. The states are responsible for determining eligibility. 3. 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. 4. Children 6 months to 14 years of age are to receive free hot meals or "take home rations". 5. The central government will provide funds to states in case of short supplies of food grains. 6. The current food grain allocation of the states will be protected by the central government for at least six months. 7. The state government will provide a food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of food grains. Page 6

7 8. The Public Distribution System is to be reformed. 9. The eldest woman in the household, 18 years or above is the head of the household for the issuance of the ration card. 10. There will be state- and district-level redress mechanisms. 11. State Food Commissions will be formed for implementation and monitoring of the 12. Provisions of the Act 13. The cost of the implementation is estimated to be 1.25 lakh crore, approximately 1.5% of GDP. 14. The poorest who are covered under the Antodaya Anna Yojna will remain entitled to the 35kg of grains allotted to them under the mentioned scheme. 6. Conclusion: By knowing all the above details we come to know that how the role of government schemes in ensuring food security to the poor people in India. Food security refers to the ensuring of food for all at all times. It is the most important step to eradicate absolute mass poverty and lay a foundation for growth and development of a society. The above all scheme are plays an important role in providing food security to the poor people in India, at subsidized prices. 7. References. 1. Hiramani Patgiri (2013): Food Security In India: A North-East Perspective. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development. August, 2013, Vol 2 Issue 8 SSN: (Online) Page Dr. S. Mayilvaganan; B.Varadarajn. ZENITH International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research Vol.2 Issue 2, February 2012, ISSN , Page, Dr. Brij Pal Organisation and working of PDS in India A Critical Analysis. ZENITH International journal of Business Economics & Management Research, Vol. Issue 1, octo2011, ISSN P LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT. Parliament Library and Reference Research, Documentation and Information Service (LARRDIS) Members' Reference Service Reference note. No. 20 / RN/ Ref. / August/ 2013 For the use of Members of Parliament Not for Publication, Mid- Day Meal Scheme, page, Net availability of food grains Per-capita per day in India.(as on ). 6. Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution. 7. Reetika Khera. National Food Security Act 2013, IIT. New Delhi Journal of Radix international educational & Research consortium Websites: Page 7