National Conference on 'Right to Food'
The National Human Rights Commission organized a day-long National Conference on 'Right to Food' in New Delhi on 4th January, 2013. Addressing the Conference, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC said that the Commission has always been concerned with the issue of right to food. Due to its timely intervention, there has been a substantial improvement in Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) Districts of Odisha, which reported starvation deaths earlier.
The Chairperson further stated that though there is an improvement in food grain production in the country, yet its stocking and distribution among the needy remains a concern. Besides, the nutritional status of population, especially of women and children, also needs to be improved to enhance the quality of human resources, he added. Moreover, a lot of ground needed to be covered to ensure the right of food for all despite schemes like ICDS, Mid-day Meal, Targeted Public Distribution System etc.
Justice Shri Balakrishnan added that the NHRC was committed to taking up any issue relating to right to food which affected the right of people, if brought to its notice.
Shri Sudhir Kumar, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India said that there was a record procurement of food grains which was sufficient to meet the domestic demand of food at affordable prices. He added that the Government is taking measures to plug leakages in Targeted Public Distribution System.
Earlier, Shri J.S. Kochher, J.S., NHRC highlighted the main objectives: right to food to be analysed in terms of availability, adequacy & sustainability, assessment of existing situation regarding fulfilment & realization of right to food, making an evaluation of programmes & policies and chalking out steps to create awareness.
Several prominent persons, including NHRC Members and senior officers, Shri Harsh Mander, Director, Centre for Equity Studies, Dr. S.M. Jharwal, Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal Univer- sity, Amarkantak, NHRC Special Rapporteurs and representatives of civil society, SHRCs, Central and State governments participated in the discussions.
Some of the important suggestions, which emerged out of the conference were:
o Full nutritional security commitment in the National Food Security Bill has to be incorporated immediately;
o Food will not be available unless adequate quantities are produced, properly stored and efficiently distributed;
o Food availability cannot be restricted only to cereals; it must include pulses, oils, vegetables, fruits and animal-based proteins;
o Food security entails making available adequate nutritional food that is locally acceptable. For this, the availability of safe drinking water is essential;
o Balanced diet should be provided in ICDS centres and Mid Day Meal Schemes;
o The experience so far with the Targeted Public Distribution System showed that very large number of people who were hungry, poor or malnourished were excluded. The government must review it to cover all those in need;
o Reforms in the Public Distribution System are essential.
The Chairperson further stated that though there is an improvement in food grain production in the country, yet its stocking and distribution among the needy remains a concern. Besides, the nutritional status of population, especially of women and children, also needs to be improved to enhance the quality of human resources, he added. Moreover, a lot of ground needed to be covered to ensure the right of food for all despite schemes like ICDS, Mid-day Meal, Targeted Public Distribution System etc.
Justice Shri Balakrishnan added that the NHRC was committed to taking up any issue relating to right to food which affected the right of people, if brought to its notice.
Shri Sudhir Kumar, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India said that there was a record procurement of food grains which was sufficient to meet the domestic demand of food at affordable prices. He added that the Government is taking measures to plug leakages in Targeted Public Distribution System.
Earlier, Shri J.S. Kochher, J.S., NHRC highlighted the main objectives: right to food to be analysed in terms of availability, adequacy & sustainability, assessment of existing situation regarding fulfilment & realization of right to food, making an evaluation of programmes & policies and chalking out steps to create awareness.
Several prominent persons, including NHRC Members and senior officers, Shri Harsh Mander, Director, Centre for Equity Studies, Dr. S.M. Jharwal, Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal Univer- sity, Amarkantak, NHRC Special Rapporteurs and representatives of civil society, SHRCs, Central and State governments participated in the discussions.
Some of the important suggestions, which emerged out of the conference were:
o Full nutritional security commitment in the National Food Security Bill has to be incorporated immediately;
o Food will not be available unless adequate quantities are produced, properly stored and efficiently distributed;
o Food availability cannot be restricted only to cereals; it must include pulses, oils, vegetables, fruits and animal-based proteins;
o Food security entails making available adequate nutritional food that is locally acceptable. For this, the availability of safe drinking water is essential;
o Balanced diet should be provided in ICDS centres and Mid Day Meal Schemes;
o The experience so far with the Targeted Public Distribution System showed that very large number of people who were hungry, poor or malnourished were excluded. The government must review it to cover all those in need;
o Reforms in the Public Distribution System are essential.