Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 25: Anticipating heavy losses on account of subsidy, the State Government has categorically ruled out implementation of much publicized scheme of the Congress led UPA Government on Food Security for which the Centre had taken the Ordinance route on July 5, which had subsequently been approved by President Pranab Mukherjee the next day.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had directed all Congress ruled States to implement Food Security Scheme in their States by the middle of August.
Though Congress is a major partner in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led National Conference-Congress coalition Government, the State has categorically said no to the Food Security Ordinance that would guarantee 5 kilograms of food grains per head every month to 67 per cent of the population or 25 kg of food grains per household, which is lower than the 35-kg entitlement mandated by the Supreme Court and the calorie requirement recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Official sources confirmed to the Excelsior that on account of heavy losses the State would face for implementing the draft ordinance, it has decided not to implement it in the State.
“We have given our recommendations, observations and reservations to the Government of India. We have stated clearly that we wouldn’t be in a position to implement the Food Security Ordinance as it would amount to losses running into several of crores on account of subsidy the State would have to pay for implementation of the scheme,’’ sources said.
Noting that the State Government has expressed reservations on implementation of the Government of India scheme till its population as per 2011 census was taken into account and the State compensated for the losses on account of subsidy, sources said the Government was also in process of working out exact losses it would suffer if it had to implement the scheme.
Moreover, they pointed out, the Food Security Scheme is only an Ordinance so far, which many Southern and other States have refused to implement citing various reasons. “Various Governments have objected to the scheme,’’ they said, adding the Ordinance had to go to Parliament to take the shape of an Act that too wouldn’t be binding on Jammu and Kashmir as it had to pass its own law in the Legislature.
Sources disclosed that the Government was getting ration under Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) on the basis of 99 lakh souls only on the basis of even pre-2001 census while as per 2011 census, the State has population of 1.25 crore souls.
“We are already suffering huge losses due to delay by the Centre in updating our record. We can’t bear more burden by implementing Food Security Ordinance,’’ they said.
The Ordinance on Food Security gave nation’s two-third population the right to get 5 kgs of food grains every month at highly subsidised rates of Rs 1-3 per kg.
The measure will guarantee 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per person at a fixed price of Rs 3, 2, 1, respectively. However, poorest of the poor families covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme under PDS would continue to get 35 kg of food grains per family per month but with legal entitlement.
When approached for comments, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Mohammad Ramzan confirmed to the Excelsior that the State wouldn’t implement the (Food Security) Ordinance at present.
“Presently, it is an Ordinance. The Parliament hasn’t passed it yet. Many States have also raised their objections to the Ordinance. We have also voiced our objections. We have given our viewpoint to the Centre. We are already suffering huge losses, which would pile up if we go for implementation of the scheme,’’ Mr Ramzan said.
He added that the State was yet to work out the figure of beneficiaries but roughly it would be between 40 lakh to 50 lakh.
As per the Government Of India document, the Food Security programme will be the biggest in the world with the Government spending estimated at Rs 125,000 crore annually on supply of about 62 million tonnes of rice, wheat and coarse cereals to 67 per cent of the population.
The Government Ordinance, promulgated by the President of India on July 6, will have to be approved by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha within six months of promulgation. The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on August 5.
The Ordinance seeks to confer the right to food to a larger section of population, ensure allocation of sufficient food grains on regular basis under PDS and enable State Governments to handle unforeseen situation caused by drought and other natural calamities.
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