Tamil Nadu Food Minister R Kamaraj on Tuesday urged the Central government to address the vital shortcomings in the Food Security Act (FSA), that would affect Tamil Nadu where universal public distribution system has been implemented successfully. Already, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has raised these issues but they are yet to be set right.
Speaking at the conference of Food Ministers of all States to discuss the implementation of the FSA in New Delhi, Kamaraj said the Centre must categorically state that the differential cost between the total requirement of rice and the allocation by the Centre would be supplied at `8.30 per kg for a period of at least three years. This must be incorporated in the Act in the form of an Amendment. Finishing the identification of eligible households in 365 days is unrealistic and is bound to create many administrative difficulties exposing the State to needless criticism. Hence, the proviso under Section 10(1) may be deleted, he said.
Coverage of urban population under the FSA ought to be 100 per cent or at least 75 per cent on par with the rural areas. “Adequate provision should be introduced in the Act to address the needs of the migrant population,” he added.
“Section 8 of the FSA does not answer the fundamental question of the responsibility of the Centre to make adequate foodgrains available. The provision contained in Section 23 is also inadequate to meet any shortfalls in supply of foodgrains. Hence, this Section should be amended making it incumbent on the Centre to take all necessary steps, including import of foodgrains when warranted to ensure continued supply,” the Minister added.