The National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, is all set to review the draft Food Security Bill in its first fullscale meeting on July 1.
“The NAC will discuss what shape the draft food security bill should take up,” said a government source.
It may be mentioned that soon after assuming charge, the NAC chairperson had asked an empowered group of ministers (EGoM), which had approved the draft bill earlier, to take a fresh look on the right to food law.
Miffed over the draft, the NAC chairperson wanted the EGoM to revise the number of BPL beneficiaries, include vulnerable sections of the society and enhance the foodgrain allocation, to make the right to food law meaningful.
Observing that drafting the bill is a complex exercise, sources in the government said the NAC will try to go beyond food security and consider providing nutritional security rather to the poor.
Prominent people like development economist Jean Dreze besides activists like Aruna Roy, Harsh Mander and farm scientist M.S. Swaminathan have expressed concern on this count. All of them are now part of the NAC.
“The NAC will have to ensure that no man, woman or child is left out of the government’s proposed food security net. Inclusion of disadvantaged sections like the urban poor and old people will also be discussed,” said a source.
The NAC meet, scheduled to be to be a lengthy one, will take up these issues in detail. It will also consider ways to reform the “inefficient and corrupt” public distribution system, which currently provides subsidised ration to around 6.5 crore BPL families.
The NAC will also look at the quantity and the mix of foodgrains to be provided under the law. Though the draft bill mentions 25 kg per family per month at Rs 3/kg, the activists want it to be increased to 35 kg.
The NAC has asked the food ministry, headed by Sharad Pawar, for an update on the draft bill and the food security situation in the country.
The ministry officials may be asked to make presentations before the NAC, the sources added.