DEFINATON OF FOOD SECURTY

By : FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

Food security is a situation that 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 and healthy life

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and
economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary
needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Household food security
is the application of this concept to the family level, with individuals within
households as the focus of concern.

Food insecurity exists when people do not have adequate physical, social or
economic access to food as defined above.

SOURCE: (http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4671e/y4671e06.htm)
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BROAD CONCEPT OF FOOD SECURITY

1) Food security involves adequate physical availability of food to the entire
population in a country
2) People have enough purchasing power so that they can acquire the food
they need.
3) For healthy life , the food available should be adequate in quality as well as
quantity to meet nutritional requirements.
4) A nation may acquire self sufficiency In food at a point of time , but the
concept of food security necessitates that timely, reliable and nutritionally
adequate supply of food should be available on a long term basis.

From this point of view, the following stages of food security may be visualized
for a developing country like India :

Stage 1) The most basic need from the point of view of human survival is to
make an adequate quantity of cereals available to all.

Stage2) In the second stage we may think of food security as the adequate
availability of cereals and pulses.

Stage3) In the third stage, food security should include cereals, pulses, milk,
and milk products

Stage 4) In the fourth stage, food security should include cereals, , pulses,
milk , milk products , vegetables and fruits , fish , eggs and meat.
POST INDEPENDENCE SENARIO
The ' Deficit '
A major question that arises in this context was the precise measure of the ' deficit' in food grains the
country must provide for. For that purpose, it was necessary to assess the trends in production and to see
how they compare with requirements. We have given careful consideration to this question, but we find
that on the basis of available data, it is not possible to reach any definite conclusions on this point. Official
figures regarding acreage and production prior to. 1949-50 are not comparable with those for earlier years
on account of changes in coverage, mergers of States, etc. The figures of production since 1949-50
indicate, as will be seen from the table below," no significant trend :

Foodgrains Production*, 1949-50 to 1951-52

(in million tons)

Rice Wheat Millets All cereals

1949-50 22-8 6-5 16-2 45-5

1950-51 22'I 6-7 15-4 44-2

1951-52 22-8 6-2 15-4 44-4

From an analysis of official figures it appears that there are large variations in the availability of food
grains between various States, and considerable variations from year to year within the same State. To
some extent, these variations might be indicative of the imperfection of the data themselves, but it is clear
that an estimate of the ' deficit' arrived at on the basis of an average norm of requirements for the entire
country is apt to prove wide of the mark.

Imports of Food grains , 1946-1952

( Million tones)
1946 2-25

1947 2-33

1948 2-84

1949 3-71

1950 2-13

1951 4-72

1952 3-90

( http://planningcommission.gov.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/index9.html )

Bihar famine
The Bihar famine of 1966-7 was a minor famine with relatively very few deaths from starvation as
compared to the famines of the British era.[16] The famine demonstrated the ability of the Indian
government to deal with the worst of famine related circumstances.[17] The official death toll from
starvation in the Bihar famine was 2353, roughly half of which occurred in the state of Bihar.[134] No
significant increase in the number of infant deaths from famine was found in the Bihar famine.[37]

The annual production of food grains had dropped in Bihar from 7.5 million tonnes in 1965–66 to 7.2
million tonnes in 1966–1967 during the Bihar drought. There was an even sharper drop in 1966–67 to 4.3
million tonnes. The national grain production dropped from 89.4 million tonnes in 1964–65 to 72.3 in
1965–66 — a 19% drop. Rise in prices of food grains caused migration and starvation, but the public
distribution system, relief measures by the government, and voluntary organizations limited the impact.
[135]
On a number of occasions, the Indian-government sought food and grain from the United States to
provide replacement for damaged crops. The government also setup more than 20,000 fair-price stores to
provide food at regulated prices for the poor or those with limited incomes.[136] A large scale famine in
Bihar was adverted due to this import, although livestock and crops were destroyed. Other reasons for
successfully averting a large scale famine were the employing various famine prevention measures such
as improving communication abilities, issuing famine bulletins over the radio and offering employment to
those affected by famine in government public works projects.[137]

The Bihar drought of 1966–67 gave impetus to further changes in agricultural policy and this
resulted in the Green Revolution.

FOOD POLICY UNDER 4TH FIVE YEAR PLAN

Food Policy and Administration
The Food grains Policy Committee (1966) postulated three objectives of food policy: to achieve self-
reliance in production, to ensure equitable distribution, and t& bring about price stability in the context of
both production and distribution. The Committee went on to suggest that the latter two objecives could be
achieved by planned management of food supplies involving such measures as procurement, control of
inter-State movement of foodgrains, a system of public distribution and the building up of buffer stocks.
Some of the measures recommended and indeed actually in operation— such as control of inter-State
movement of focd-grains—were related to a situation of grave shortage coupled with the necessity of
maximum procurement. If the situation changes, so must the strategy. Thus, changes would obviously be
called for in the management of food supplies if the envisaged rate of growth in the production of food-
grains materialises in the Fourth Plan period. Food policy has to be so formulated as to meet different
situations, whether of deficits or of surpluses. It must have a certain amount of flexibility. It must, at the
same time, fit into the broad framework of economic policy. The main objectives of food policy in the
Fourth Plan may, therefore, be restated as:
i. to ensure that consumer prices are stabilised and, in particular, that the interests of the low
income consumers are safeguarded;
ii. to ensure that the producers get reasonable prices and continue to have adequate incentives for
increasing production; and
iii. to build up an adequate buffer stock of foodgrains with a view to ensuring both the objectives
mentioned above.
 Even when the food supply improves, prices may tend to be high in certain areas. Similarly, in years of
shortfall in production, prices might lend to rise causing distress to vulnerable sections of the population.
Protection of the interests of the consumers, particualrly the low income groups, would have to be an
objective of food policy. This involves distribution of foodgrains through cooperative and fair price shops
and the regulation of private trade. As an incentive for higher production, the rainier should get a
reasonable price, even when surpluses emerge. This can be ensured by State purchases, through the
Food Corporation of India, cooperatives and other agencies.

( www.planningcomission.nic.in )

GREEN REVOLUTION IN INDIA

Continued expansion of farming areas
As mentioned above, the area of land under cultivation was being increased right
from 1947. But this was not enough in meeting with rising demand. Other
methods were required. Yet, the expansion of cultivable land also had to continue.
So, the Green Revolution continued with this quantitative expansion of farmlands.
However, this is NOT the most striking feature of the Revolution.
Double-cropping existing farmland
Double-cropping was a primary feature of the Green Revolution. Instead of one
crop season per year, the decision was made to have two crop seasons per year.
The one-season-per-year practice was based on the fact that there is only natural
monsoon per year. This was correct. So, there had to be two "monsoons" per year.
One would be the natural monsoon and the other an artificial 'monsoon.'
The artificial monsoon came in the form of huge irrigation facilities. Dams were
built to arrest large volumes of natural monsoon water which were earlier being
wasted. Simple irrigation techniques were also adopted.
Using seeds with superior genetics
This was the scientific aspect of the Green Revolution. The Indian Council for
Agricultural Research (which was established by the British in 1929 but was not
known to have done any significant research) was re-organized in 1965 and then
again in 1973. It developed new strains of high yield value (HYV) seeds, mainly
wheat and rice but also millet and corn. The most noteworthy HYV seed was the
K68 variety for wheat. The credit for developing this strain goes to Dr. M.P. Singh
who is also regarded as the hero of India 's Green revolution.

Economic results of the Green Revolution

1) Crop areas under high-yield varieties needed more water, more fertilizer, more
pesticides, fungicides and certain other chemicals. This spurred the growth of the
local manufacturing sector. Such industrial growth created new jobs and
contributed to the country's GDP.
2) The increase in irrigation created need for new dams to harness monsoon
water. The water stored was used to create hydroelectric power. This in turn
boosted industrial growth, created jobs and improved the quality of life of the
people in villages.
 3) India paid back all loans it had taken from the World Bank and its affiliates for
the purpose of the Green Revolution. This improved India 's creditworthiness in
the eyes of the lending agencies.
4) Some developed countries, especially Canada , which were facing a shortage in
agricultural labor, were so impressed by the results of India 's Green Revolution that
they asked the Indian government to supply them with farmers experienced in the
methods of the Green Revolution. Many farmers from Punjab and Haryana states in
northern India were thus sent to Canada where they settled (That's why Canada
today has many Punjabi-speaking citizens of Indian origin). These people remitted
part of their incomes to their relatives in India . This not only helped the relatives
but also added, albeit modestly, to India 's foreign exchange earnings.

Limitations of the Green Revolution

1) Even today, India 's agricultural output sometimes falls short of demand. The
Green Revolution, howsoever impressive, has thus NOT succeeded in making
India totally and permanently self-sufficient in food. In 1979 and 1987, India faced
severe drought conditions due to poor monsoon; this raised questions about the
whether the Green Revolution was really a long-term achievement. In 1998, India
had to import onions. Last year, India imported sugar.
However, in today's globalized economic scenario, 100 per cent self-sufficiency is
not considered as vital a target as it was when the world political climate was
more dangerous due to the Cold War.
2) India has failed to extend the concept of high-yield value seeds to all crops or
all regions. In terms of crops, it remains largely confined to foodgrains only, not to
all kinds of agricultural produce. In regional terms, only Punjab and Haryana states
showed the best results of the Green Revolution. The eastern plains of the River
Ganges in West Bengal state also showed reasonably good results. But results
were less impressive in other parts of India .
3) Nothing like the Bengal Famine can happen in India again. But it is disturbing to
note that even today, there are places like Kalahandi (in India 's eastern state of
Orissa) where famine-like conditions have existed for many years and where some
starvation deaths have also been reported. Of course, this is due to reasons other
than availability of food in India , but the very fact that some people are still
starving in India (whatever the reason may be), brings into question whether the
Green Revolution has failed in its overall social objectives though it has been a
resounding success in terms of agricultural production.

SOURCE : Case Study: The Green Revolution in India

http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/snyderd/APHG/Unit%205/GreenRev.htm

Production of Food grains – Average Annual Growth

(Million Tonnes)
Coarse Pulses Total Food Compound Annual
Year Rice Wheat
Cereals Grains Growth (Percent)
1950-51 20.58 6.46 15.38 8.41 50.82 -
1960-61 34.58 11.00 23.74 12.70 82.02 3.22
1970-71 42.23 23.83 30.55 11.82 108.42 1.72
1980-81 52.63 36.31 29.02 10.63 129.59 2.08
 1990-91 74.29 55.14 32.7 14.26 176.39 3.54
1997-98* 83.52 66.38 31.15 13.08 194.13 1.73

*Estimated; Source:- Economic Survey 97-98

FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA

Objective
The Food Corporation of India was setup under the Food Corporation Act 1964, in order to fulfill

following objectives of the Food Policy :

• Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers.
• Distribution of foodgrains throughout the country for public distribution system
• Maintaining satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure National Food
Security

In its 45 years of service to the nation, FCI has played a significant role in India's success in

transforming the crisis management oriented food security into a stable security system. FCI's

Objectives are:
• To provide farmers remunerative prices
• To make food grains available at reasonable prices, particularly to vulnerable section of the society
• To maintain buffer stocks as measure of Food Security
• To intervene in market for price stabilization
( www.fci.nic.in )

PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

3.1 Food Subsidy

It is now recognised that availability of food grains is not a sufficient condition to

ensure food security to the poor. In addition to availability of food grains it is also
necessary
that the poor have sufficient means to purchase food. The capacity of the poor to
purchase
food can be ensured in two ways. You can either raise the level of incomes of the
poor or
you can supply food grains to the poor at subsidised prices. Employment generation
programmes for the poor try to ensure that the poor have sufficient purchasing
power. The
Public Distribution System (PDS) tries to supply food grains to the poor at subsidised
prices.

Table: Food Subsidy of the Central Government

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Amount % of Total
(Rs. Crore) (Govt Expenditure)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91 2450 2.33
1991-92 2850 2.56
1992-93 2785 2.27
1993-94 5537 3.90
1994-95 4509 2.80
1995-96 4960 2.78
1996-97 5166 2.46
1997-98 7500 3.23
1998-99 8700 3.11
1999-00 9200 3.03
2000-01 12125 3.61
2001-02 17612 4.83
2002-03 21200 5.17

With a network of more than 4.62 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) distributing annually
commodities worth more than Rs 30,000 crore, to about 16 crore families, the PDS
in India is
perhaps the largest distribution network of its type in the world. All is not well with
the
Public Distribution System in India. The annual food subsidy involved in maintaining
the
system is huge (see Table). For the year 2002-3 an amount of Rs.21200 crore is
budgeted for
the food subsidy. This volume of food subsidy accounts for 5.2 percent of the total
budgeted
expenditure of the central government. A close look at the Table would show that
the level
of food subsidies in India as a proportion of total government expenditure has gone
up from a
level of about 2.5 percent or below during the beginning of the 1990s to more than
5 percent
today. The per capita food subsidy expenditure by the government in 2002-3 was
about Rs
200 or nearly Rs 17 per head per month. This, however, does not mean that
consumers got Rs
17 per head per month, for the cost of distributing this subsidy has to be deducted
from the
subsidy expenditure by the government.

A part of the subsidy also accrues to the cereals producers/surplus farmers, as the
increase in food subsidy is also due to high carrying cost of stocks in excess of the
buffer
norms. There are indications that the proportion of food subsidy accruing to farmers
has
increased over time. To reverse this trend, the Expenditure Reforms Commission
has
recommended that the cost of holding stocks in excess of the requirement for
National Food
Security and for PDS, arising from very generous MSP and procurement, be
reflected in the
budget as producers’ subsidy rather than consumer subsidy. The Public Distribution
System
needs to be improved through better targeting of the subsidy on the relatively less
well of
lower 50% of the total population and reducing leakages. The efficiency of the
Public
Distribution System can be improved by introducing innovative ideas such food
stamps and
food credit cards in the system, as we shall see in the following section.

Food Stamps

In order to ensure better targeting of the food subsidy major reforms are required in
the pattern of marketing of food grains in the country. The concept of having fair
price shops
over the length and breadth of the country needs to be re-examined. It may be
more efficient
to move towards a new system of providing food subsidy through the normal food
supply
shops that exist through out the length and breadth of the country (including the
current FPS),
supplemented by new/additional Fair Price Shops in remote and inaccessible
regions where
8
such shops may be absent. This could be achieved through the introduction of food
stamps or
the food credit card system as outlined below:
Under the system of food stamps, instead of issuing ration cards, the states could
issue
a subsidy entitlement card (SEC). The SEC should show the number of members in a
poor
family, their age etc, and indicate their entitlement level for food stamps. There
could, in
principle, be different levels of entitlement based on age. All adult members from a
poor
family could be entitled to “a” number of food stamps per month while the
entitlement for a
child could be “b” number of food stamps. There could also be a higher subsidy
entitlement
based on old age or infirmity. The SEC will indicate the total number of food stamps
a family
is entitled to every month.
The members of a family would produce their SEC and collect their monthly quota
of
food stamps from prescribed distribution centres. By using these food stamps in any
food
supply shop the poor should be able to purchase food grains (rice and wheat) at a
price (Rs x)
below the market price. The retailer who sells food to the stamp holder could
accumulate
these food stamps issued by the state governments and claim (Rs x) per food stamp
from the
state treasury.
There is less scope for corruption under such a system of food stamps than under
the
existing system. Under the existing system, it is well known that Fair Price Shop
owners
declare on paper that they have sold a certain quantity of food to the poor at
subsidised prices
but actually make a big profit by selling the food at market prices. Under a system
of food
stamps there will be less possibility of such diversion of food supplies. The retailer
can claim
food subsidy only if he acquires food stamps by selling food to the poor at
subsidised prices.
Under this system it could be made mandatory for retail traders in food grains to
display the
selling price of food grains at a prominent place in their shops.
There are two potential problems with food stamps that need to be kept in mind
while
designing and introducing the system: One relates to the possibility of
counterfeiting of food
stamps and the other to the system of reimbursement of subsidy to the
participating retailers.
These problems are however miniscule in comparison to the problem of physically
procuring,
storing, transporting and delivering food grains to Food Price Shops across the
country by the
FCI and the State food corporations/ agencies. One possible solution is to phase in
the
system by initially allowing food stamps to be redeemed only at the FPS currently
used by
9
the poor consumer along the lines of the current system in Andhra. This will allow
food
stamps to be printed with the identification number of the FPS so that the totals can
be
matched and crosschecked later thus reducing the scope for counterfeiting. This
could be
followed by allowing the consumer to designate any participating retailer and have
its
identification number printed on the food stamp. Normally consumers purchase
their daily
food provisions from the most convenient shop or in very rare cases two shops. As
the
difficulty of delivering money is a fraction of that for delivering food it should not be
too
difficult to set up a re-imbursement system perhaps by sub-contracting it to a
financial service
provider. To reduce malpractices, it is felt that food stamps should be issued to
female
members of the family who can be designated as heads of households for the
purpose. The
system should be introduced cautiously on an experimental basis where proper
market
infrastructure exists. The conventional FPS system may have to be continued in
remote and
inaccessible areas.
Informal trading of food stamps can also convert the food subsidy into an income
subsidy. The use of smart cards in the form of a food credit/debit card can remove
these
problems and ensure provision of a food subsidy (i.e. a reduction in the relative
price of
food), as it can have inbuilt security features that make it difficult if not impossible
to trade.
A food coupon system for distribution of rice and kerosene through PDS was
introduced in Andhra Pradesh during 1998-1999 (Government of Andhra Pradesh:
2001).
Basically, the scheme was aimed at improving the delivery system of kerosene and
rice.

SOURCE : PLANNING COMMISSION

Working Paper No5/2002-PC
May 2002

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

During the last 50 yrs, there has been substantial reduction in moderate and
severe under nutrition in children and some improvement in nutritional
status of all segments of population.
Milder forms of chronic energy deficiency still persists in many parts of
India; serious malnutrition and even widespread starvation among children
and the aged has become common in tribal belts in Maharashtra and orrisa,
essentially because there is no purchasing power.

Under nutrition is a problem among:

1) Pregnant and Lactating women

2) One-third of new born still weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth
3) Less severe forms of Vitamin A deficiency exist which may result
in blindness in certain cases.
 4) Universal access to iodized salt has not been achieved and there
has not been marked reduction in iodine disorders.

PROJECTS INITIATED BY GOVT. OF INDIA.

APPLIED NUTRITION PROGRAMME

The Applied Nutrition Programme (ANP) was introduced as a pilot scheme in Orissa in 1963 which later
on extended to Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh with the objectives of: a) promoting production of
protective food such as vegetables and fruits and b) ensure their consumption by pregnant and
nursing mothers and children. During 1973, it was extended to all the state of the country. The
nutritional Education was the main focus and efforts were directed to teach rural communities through
demonstration how to produce food for their consumption through their own efforts. The beneficiaries
are children between 2-6 eyars and pregnant and lactating mothers. Nutrition worth of 25 paise per
child per day and 50 paise per woman per day are provided for 52 days in a year. No definite nutrient
content has been specified. The idea is to provide better seeds and encourage kitchen gardens,
poultry farming, beehive keeping, etc., but this programme does not produced any impact. The
community kitchens and school gardens could not function properly due to lack of suitable land,
irrigation facilities, and low financial investment.

( www.nihfw.org/.../NationalHealthProgramme/APPLIEDNUTRITIONPROGRAMME.html )

SPECIAL NUTRITION PROGRAMME (SNP)

• The programme was launched in the country in 1970-71. It provides supplementary feeding of about
300 calories and 10 grams of protein to preschool children and about 500 calories and 25 grams of
protein to expect at and nursing mothers for six days a week. This programme was operated under
Minimum Need Programme. The programme was taken up in rural areas inhibited predominantly by
lower socio-economic groups in tribal and urban slums. Fund for nutrition component of ICD
programme is taken from the SNP budget.

http://www.nihfw.org/NDC/DocumentationServices/NationalHealthProgramme/SNP.h
tml

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

Launched on 2nd October 1975, today, ICDS Scheme represents one of the world’s
largest and most unique programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the
foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the
challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle
of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other.
1. Objectives: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was
launched in 1975 with the following objectives:
i. to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6
years;
 ii. to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of
the child;
iii. to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;
iv. to achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the
various departments to promote child development; and
v. to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and
nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
2. Services: The above objectives are sought to be achieved through a package of
services comprising:
i. supplementary nutrition,
ii. immunization,
iii. health check-up,
iv. referral services,
v. pre-school non-formal education and
vi. nutrition & health education.
The concept of providing a package of services is based primarily on the consideration
that the overall impact will be much larger if the different services develop in an
integrated manner as the efficacy of a particular service depends upon the support it
receives from related services.
Services Target Group Service Provided by
Supplementary Nutrition Children below 6 Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi
years: Helper
Pregnant &
Lactating Mother
(P&LM)
Immunization* Children below 6 ANM/MO
years:
Pregnant &
Lactating Mother
(P&LM)
Health Check-up* Children below 6 ANM/MO/AWW
years:
Pregnant &
Lactating Mother
(P&LM)
Referral Services Children below 6 AWW/ANM/MO
years:
Pregnant &
Lactating Mother
(P&LM)
Pre-School Education Children 3-6 AWW
years
Nutrition & Health Women (15-45 AWW/ANM/MO
Education years)
http://wcd.nic.in/icds.htm

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Background
With a view to enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional
levels among children, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was
launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th August 1995, initially in 2408 blocks in the country. By
the year 1997-98 the NP-NSPE was introduced in all blocks of the country. It was further extended in 2002
to cover not only children in classes I-V of government, government aided and local body schools, but also
children studying in EGS and AIE centres. Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of free supply of
food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day, and subsidy for transportation of food grains up to a
maximum of Rs.50 per quintal.
In September 2004 the scheme was revised to provide cooked mid day meal with 300 calories and 8-12
grams of protein to all children studying in classes I-V in Government and aided schools and EGS/AIE
centers. In addition to free supply of food grains, the revised scheme provided Central Assistance for (a)
Cooking cost @ Re 1 per child per school day, (b) Transport subsidy was raised from the earlier maximum
of Rs.50 per quintal to Rs.100 per quintal for special category states, and Rs.75 per quintal for other
states, (c) Management, monitoring and evaluation costs @ 2% of the cost of food grains, transport subsidy
and cooking assistance, (d) Provision of mid day meal during summer vacation in drought affected areas.
In July 2006 the scheme was further revised to provide assistance for cooking cost at the rate of
(a) Rs.1.80 per child/school day for States in the North Eastern Region, provided the NER states
contribute Rs.0.20 per child/school day, and (b) Rs.1.50 per child/school day for other States and UTs,
provided that these States and UTs contribute Rs.0.50 per child/school day.

Objectives
The objectives of the mid day meal scheme are:
• Improving the nutritional status of children in classes I-V in Government, Local Body and
Government aided schools, and EGS and AIE centres.
• Encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly
and help them concentrate on classroom activities.
• Providing nutritional support to children of primary stage in drought affected areas during summer
vacation.

Programme Intervention and Coverage

To achieve the above objectives a cooked mid day meal with nutritional content as shown in column 3 of the
table below will be provided to all children studying in classes I-V:

Objectives a cooked mid day meal with nutritional

Nutritional Content Norm as per NP-NSPE, 2004

Calories 300

Protein 8-12

Micronutrients Adequate Not Prescribed

http://india.gov.in/sectors/education/mid_day_meal.php

TENTH FIVE YEAR PLAN AND FOOD

SECURITY.

Restructuring of PDS

a) Items other than rice and wheat need to beexcluded from the purview
of TPDS. The main
objective of providing food subsidy to the pooris to ensure food security.
Since rice and wheat
are the basic necessities for the poor, foodsubsidies must be restricted to
these two commodities.

b) Sugar should be kept outside the purview ofPDS. It should be

decontrolled and the system
of levy on sugar discontinued.

c) It is argued that encouraging production of coarse cereals in dry land

areas can check
environment damage like degradation of soilto some extent. However,
there is difficulty in
supplying coarse cereals through PDS andbringing them under the cover
of food subsidy.
The average shelf life of coarse grains islimited, making them unsuitable
for long-term
storage and distribution under PDS. Theinclusion of coarse cereals under
PDS cannot
be taken up as a national level programmesince there is no standard
variety of coarse
grain. However, initiatives on the part of stategovernments catering to
the needs of specific
localities are possible.
d) Kerosene oil is also supplied through PDS and is intended for the poor.
However, there is
large-scale diversion of this commodity and subsidised kerosene is used
for adulteration
with diesel. The subsidy on kerosene is thus cornered by the non-poor. A
study of four
states carried out by Indira Gandhi Institute for Development Research
(IGIDR), Mumbai
shows that there is huge leakage of kerosene meant for PDS. It is
irrational, therefore, to
continue to subsidise kerosene at such high rates and continue its
distribution through
PDS. The subsidy on kerosene should be phased out by raising its supply
price under
PDS while eliminating all domestic central (e.g.Cenvat) and state (e.g.
sales tax) taxes on it
so as to encourage private supply through petroleum retail outlets and
small dealers rather
than FPS. Alternately, if kerosene is to be retained under PDS, the extent
of subsidy given
should be reduced so that there is less incentive for diversion.

e) All further attempts to include more and morecommodities under the

coverage of food
subsidy should be resisted.

f) The FPS should be permi t ted to sel l al lcommodities (other than rice
and wheat) at full
market prices in order to ensure their economicviability.

g) The coverage of TPDS and food subsidy should be restricted to the BPL
population.
Forthe APL population, which has the purchasingpower to buy food, the
Government needs to
only ensure the availability of food grains at astable price in the market.
Stability in food grain
p r i c e s s h o u l d b e e n s u r e d t h r o u g h t h e maintenance
of buffer stock and open market operations of the FCI.
Any attempt to revert tothe old concept of a universal PDS will be
aretrograde step and needs to be resisted. However, in the current
situation, where the
FCI has huge surplus stocks of foodgrains, itmay be necessary to continue
supply of cereals
under PDS to the APL population at below

Initiatives in the Tenth Plan

During the Tenth Plan there will be focused a n d c omp r e h e n s i v e i
n t e r v e n t i o n s a ime d a time proving the nutritional and health
status of the individuals..

There will be a paradigm shift from:

* household food security and freedom from hunger to nutrition security

for the family and
the individual;

* untargeted food supplementation to screening of all the persons from

vulnerable groups,
identification of those with various grades of under-nutrition and
appropriate management;

* lack of focused interventions on the prevention of over-nutrition to the

promotion of appropriate
lifestyles and dietary intakes for the prevention and management of over-
nutrition and obesity