Core group meeting on 'Right to Food'
The Commission held the 3rd meeting on 'Right to Food' on August 9, 2007 to discuss the recommendations made by the Core Group on draft National Action Plan (NAP) on Right to Food.
Justice Dr. Shivaraj V. Patil, Member NHRC who chaired the meeting, got the opinions of all the participants on the issue. After going through all the views presented at the meeting, it was felt that Panchayats were not in a position to serve the purpose of procuring, distributing and monitoring food grain supply.
It was felt that Government's schemes were in place and so was the Public Distribution System, yet starvation deaths and large-scale malnutrition indicate that much needs to be done.
The meeting outlined the need for constituting Committees at various levels in every State of the country to act as Watch Committees so as to ensure Right to Food.The Core Group on Right to Food, came out with guidelines for constitution of such Committees. They were-
§ The very job of these Committees would be to see that the schemes are properly implemented and food grains are available and distributed properly. It was decided that the Committees would consist of three members one each from Panchayats - preferably women/SC/STs; a representative of the local NGO or other socio-cultural institution and a government representative like Patwari or Lekhpal.
§ The Committees would perform the functions such as monitoring the availability of food, distribution of foodgrains, see that schemes are properly implemented and not misused and report to the concerned authorities in the State or to the NHRC.
§ The Committees would also monitor the availability of foodgrains at the Public Distribution System (PDS), would see to it that they were not sold at higher prices than the government prescribed prices and collect data on the number of families living below poverty line in that particular area.
§ As far as distribution of foodgrains is concerned, the Committees would see that distribution of food takes place without any black-marketing at PDS, would conduct surprise checks at Anganwari centers including checking the record on utilization of food under ICDS programme, see to it that adequate food godowns are available under a particular Panchayat or at hBlock level and would monitor that special cards to BPL families are issued so that they are assured of special subsidized food items under PDS.
§ These Committees would also have close contacts with household, especially BPL, SC/STs and other vulnerable groups. They would also lay emphasis on monitoring the schemes, particularly, those on poverty alleviation and employment generation. These committees would ensure greater transparency in the implementation of existing schemes. The monitoring would include reporting of physical and financial performance. The Committees would be empowered to have a copy of the periodic progress reports, audit and utilization certificates of various schemes and programmes implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and Department of Women and Child Development.
In order to ensure that schemes are properly implemented and people are not denied their Right to Food, the Committee would report to the State authorities or NHRC.
Justice Dr. Shivaraj V. Patil, Member NHRC who chaired the meeting, got the opinions of all the participants on the issue. After going through all the views presented at the meeting, it was felt that Panchayats were not in a position to serve the purpose of procuring, distributing and monitoring food grain supply.
It was felt that Government's schemes were in place and so was the Public Distribution System, yet starvation deaths and large-scale malnutrition indicate that much needs to be done.
The meeting outlined the need for constituting Committees at various levels in every State of the country to act as Watch Committees so as to ensure Right to Food.The Core Group on Right to Food, came out with guidelines for constitution of such Committees. They were-
§ The very job of these Committees would be to see that the schemes are properly implemented and food grains are available and distributed properly. It was decided that the Committees would consist of three members one each from Panchayats - preferably women/SC/STs; a representative of the local NGO or other socio-cultural institution and a government representative like Patwari or Lekhpal.
§ The Committees would perform the functions such as monitoring the availability of food, distribution of foodgrains, see that schemes are properly implemented and not misused and report to the concerned authorities in the State or to the NHRC.
§ The Committees would also monitor the availability of foodgrains at the Public Distribution System (PDS), would see to it that they were not sold at higher prices than the government prescribed prices and collect data on the number of families living below poverty line in that particular area.
§ As far as distribution of foodgrains is concerned, the Committees would see that distribution of food takes place without any black-marketing at PDS, would conduct surprise checks at Anganwari centers including checking the record on utilization of food under ICDS programme, see to it that adequate food godowns are available under a particular Panchayat or at hBlock level and would monitor that special cards to BPL families are issued so that they are assured of special subsidized food items under PDS.
§ These Committees would also have close contacts with household, especially BPL, SC/STs and other vulnerable groups. They would also lay emphasis on monitoring the schemes, particularly, those on poverty alleviation and employment generation. These committees would ensure greater transparency in the implementation of existing schemes. The monitoring would include reporting of physical and financial performance. The Committees would be empowered to have a copy of the periodic progress reports, audit and utilization certificates of various schemes and programmes implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and Department of Women and Child Development.
In order to ensure that schemes are properly implemented and people are not denied their Right to Food, the Committee would report to the State authorities or NHRC.