India has a population of 1.2billion people with more than 200 million "food unsecure" people. India hosts the highest number of hungry population in the world. It is a very alarming scene.
The 2010 Actnoid report said :
Food bill promises cheap staples - wheat and rice to nearly 2/3rd of Indians.
Current food subsidy program is of Rs 67000Cr which is released through pilferage prone PDS system.
The new food bill aims to reach 75% of rural and 50% of urban population taking the expense of food subsidy to 95000Cr. Proposes giving 7Kg food, @ 3Rs rice, 2Rs wheat, 1 Rs coarse grains.
Food for children, lactating mother, elderly is must. But giving free food handout to 800 million people at a fraction of market price is risk. It is a burden on public finances, fiscal deficit. It might dissuade labor from working hard.
Instead of pumping in money in the food subsidy bill, govt could have invested the much needed 1.1lakh crore to increase farm output. It could have benefited india by improving farm produce and created sustainable gains.
Congress perspective - Experts consider it a another manoever by Congress, in line with its socialist objectives. Govt can arrange the funds by increasing cess on diamond and gold.
The 2010 Actnoid report said :
- 50% of indian children are malnourished
- 1/5th of the population is hungry
Food bill promises cheap staples - wheat and rice to nearly 2/3rd of Indians.
Current food subsidy program is of Rs 67000Cr which is released through pilferage prone PDS system.
The new food bill aims to reach 75% of rural and 50% of urban population taking the expense of food subsidy to 95000Cr. Proposes giving 7Kg food, @ 3Rs rice, 2Rs wheat, 1 Rs coarse grains.
Food for children, lactating mother, elderly is must. But giving free food handout to 800 million people at a fraction of market price is risk. It is a burden on public finances, fiscal deficit. It might dissuade labor from working hard.
Instead of pumping in money in the food subsidy bill, govt could have invested the much needed 1.1lakh crore to increase farm output. It could have benefited india by improving farm produce and created sustainable gains.
Congress perspective - Experts consider it a another manoever by Congress, in line with its socialist objectives. Govt can arrange the funds by increasing cess on diamond and gold.
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