Al Ngullie
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 23
THE world’s largest welfare scheme is poised for implementation in the world’s second-most populous nation. The Government of India has already promulgated the Food Security Bill of 2013 earlier this year, and subsidiary apparatuses such as the National Food Security Mission for pulse production are already afoot across the country preparing roadways as the bill appears ready for the table.As part of funds for the current fiscal 2013-2014, the Government of India has allocated Nagaland more than eleven crores as grant-in-aid for implementation of the centrally-sponsored pulse production scheme, the National Food Security Mission for Pulses, Rice and Wheat. Nagaland is included in the ‘rice’ production segment of the National Food Security Mission.
The Under Secretary of the Agriculture & Cooperation Directorate of the Union Ministry of Agriculture informed today, Friday, August 23 that the Government of India has already sanctioned Rs. 11, 45, 46, 000 (Eleven crores, forty five lakhs and a forty-six thousand) as the first installment of the grant-in-aid for the implementation of the production scheme. It is understood from the official’s comments that the order for the funds for Nagaland was officially issued earlier during the intervening months of June-July.
Under Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Directorate S Bhattacharya said that the first installment (for concurrent year 2013-2014 is allocated to the State Agricultural management and Extension training Institute of Nagaland. The agency is the implementing agency of the National Food Security Scheme for Rice in Nagaland, S Bhattacharya said.
Bhattacharya also said in a copy of the email made available here, that Nagaland has no balance for the scheme sanction for the fiscal year 2012-2013 and hence the scheme can continue with the new funds for the concurrent fiscal year.
Planning Commission’s food coverage estimate
Interestingly the Minister of Consumer Affairs KV Thomas updated the Parliament – just two days ago – about the estimated coverage the food Security ordinance (now Food Security Bill 2013) would have on states such as Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland.
Eastern Mirror received today transcripts of the minister’s explanations, in the Rajya Sabha on the estimated coverage of the ordinance in the North East as estimated by the Planning Commission of India. The bill assures at least coverage of up to 75% of the rural areas of the country and up to 50% of the urban populations. Further, according to the minister’s explanation, the coverage of the food security ordinance would be determined by the central government. “Identification of beneficiaries within the state will be done by the concern state only,” Thomas told the sitting. “Provision for penalty on public servant or authority, to be imposed by the State Food Commission, in case of failure to comply with the relief recommended by the district grievance (redress) officer.”
According to the minister’s explanation, the state of Manipur would have one of the largest coverage under the food ordinance: 88% of Manipur’s rural population and 85% of the state’s urban population is expected to be covered. In the second place, the state of Assam is expected a coverage of 84% in the rural areas and 60% of the urban population. For Nagaland the government has estimated that the coverage in the state’s rural areas would be around 79.83% while 61.98% the urban population would be covered. The all-India average coverage is 75% of the country’s rural population and 50% of her urban population.
The ambitious food security legislation will cost about 1.3 trillion rupees ($23.9bn; £15.8bn) a year and is being one of the world’s largest welfare schemes.
