Food Security Bill - Need of the hour or an election gimmick?
Food Security Bill - Need of the hour or an election gimmick?
The food security bill aims to provide subsidised food grains to the poor people. The food security bill was passed on Monday by the Lok Sabha worth $20 billion.
For:
- With the amendment of this act the food grains will be available on a cheaper rate specially at ration shops, which would be beneficial for the poor people
- After much debating between the parties, the consensus was arrived on making the law universal
- The foremost goal to get this act passed was to eradicate hunger and mal – nutrition in our country
Against:
- Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj stated that the current law is “half - baked and weak“and once they are empowered with the rights, they would improve the law. This statement of hers clearly shows the disparity between the various parties.
- The bill being proposed just a few months before the 2014 elections will definitely bring in certain electoral benefits to Sonia Gandhi (Congress Party)
- Each and every party has its own say, and a lot of disparity amongst the thinking of each opposition party leader, which will create more chaos rather than helping the poor as well as the general public
Conclusion:
- The food security bill was first introduced in the year 2009, and now it has been passed by the lok sabha just before a few months of 2014 election.
- This could definitely be an election gimmick as with this strategy the parties could get vote from the poor people.
Discussion
- RE: Food Security Bill - Need of the hour or an election gimmick? -Rajani Sharma (12/14/13)
- For:
- If implemented, 67% population of India will benefit from the food security bill.
- Implementation of this bill will provide food grains to the poor masses at subsidised rates.
- Hunger and malnutrition will be eradicated from our country once the bill is passed.
- This bill would ensure that every individual gets the supplies at the right time and in the right quantity.
- There is a security allowance attached with the food bill which an individual can avail when required.
Against:
- The food security bill is purely a gimmick used by congress to maximize the number of votes for them during the elections.
- This is a political strategy which is used by the Congress to stay in power as they would not want to lose the position they have been holding for the past two years.
- This stunt is only done to earn the sympathy of the common man and to attract the masses to vote.
- Majority of the parties are using this same strategy to get more and more votes.
- This bill will only increase the financial burden on the tax payers as the cost will be charged from the general public.
- The implementation of the food security bill will face economic implications.
- There is no guarantee that the huge amount of money spent on implementing this bill will be utilized properly in the favour of poor people.
- This will increase more corruption in our country as there is no provision of feedback system to check whether the food is being reached to the poor or not.
- According to NSSO surveys, the proportion of hungry people has fallen from 15.3% in 1983 to 2% in 2004. Thus it is clear that hungry people are not crying out for cheap grains. - RE: Food Security Bill - Need of the hour or an election gimmick? -sneha shirke (10/15/13)
Food Security Bill – An attempt to make dependents further dependent
The food security bill was first passed in the year 2009 and was kept on hold till then and now it has been passed recently. The food security bill was all about providing food to the poor at subsidized rates. 67%of the population will be served with this benefit.
As per the bill the people would get rice at Rs.3/kg, wheat at Rs.2/kg and coarse grains at Rs1/kg. The pregnant women would get free meal during her pregnancy. Children up to 14years would get free meals. If the food grains are not supplies in time and in right quantity, the bill ensures certain amount of security allowance attached to it. If any one is seen faulty he will be penalized.
The cost of the food security bill would be eventually recovered by the tax payers of the country hence increasing the financial burden of the middle class. The two problem faced by the food bill: a) Economic Implication b) serving the people and eradicating malnutrition. In spite of investing so much money into this bill, there is no guarantee that it would help the poor, as unless corruption is not taken out of the country. There is no feedback system ensured to know whether the poor are getting the food at the subsidized rates as promised. After the bill is passed a number of taxes would be charged from the general public and they would have to pay it at any cost.
This bill is a costly affair which will be an add on cost to the tax payers.
- RE: Food Security Bill - Need of the hour or an election gimmick? -Food Security Bill (10/15/13)
Food Security Bill - Need Of The Hour Or An Election Gimmick ?
It has been 66 years of independence and the food security bill has passed now, on September 12, 2013, just few months before the next election. Then, What is the main reason behind this? According to me, its undoubtedly POWER, everyone loves to be in power and after enjoying two consequent ruling years of rule, the Congress would surely not want to lose the same. Yes, in few aspects Food security bill was a need but today's need for one has become advantage and a way of generating money for others.
According to the government, the law aims to provide food grains to approximately two thirds of India's 1.2. billion people i.e., roughly around 80 crores individuals. Then what does the Indian government wants to portray? Does 80 crores individuals don't get meals in a day? Or, they strive of hunger ? Or, they should become handicapped and also become dependent on government for food ? This should not happen. The government is not worth trusting. The country where everyone is hungry in spite of being fed in golden plates should not be trusted for providing food to the needy ones.
It may happen that the bill shows a positive reaction and the food reaches the house of the common man. But again will it happen in a day? No, never. Seeing the present Indian scenario and the honesty of the government employees, it will take approximately a decade to reach the one who is seriously in need of this. Is this justice?
Thus, in the end I want to conclude that Food Security Bill is seriously an election gimmick which is a game of Congress to remain in power and earn sympathy of the common man.
