RIGHT TO FOOD CAMPAIGN Trainer’s Manual Editors Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap

Transcription

RIGHT TO FOOD CAMPAIGN
Trainer’s Manual
Editors
Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap
Sr. Mariola B.S.
Published by
Commission for Justice, Peace and Development
CBCI Centre, 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi – 110001
Tel: 011-23366127 Email: rtfcampaign@gmail.com
1
The Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (JPD) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is committed
to building a just and peaceful society inspired by the Gospel and the social doctrines of the Church, through Human Rights Trainings,
Peace Initiatives and involvement in the struggles of the society, especially the poor and the marginalised.
The Commission has conducted numerous workshops and trainings in different states to social activists, Religious Congregations
and NGOs working among the grassroots. It has also initiated Peace programmes in schools and University Colleges.
The Right to Food (RTF) Campaign is undertaken by the JPD Commission in seventeen states with a special focus on the
Dalit, Tribals, Slum dwellers and Rural poor. This is done in collaboration with the Supreme Court Advisors on RTF, the State Advisors
and the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), NGOs and Grassroots activists.
National Team
Chairperson:
Members:
Bishop Yvon Ambroise, Tuticorin
Bishop Mathew Arackal, Kanjirapally
Bishop Gerald Almeida, Jabalpur
Exe. Secretary & RTF Campaign Director : Fr. Nithiya Sagayam OFM Cap
National RTF Campaign Coordinator
: Sr. Mariola B.S.
This book is copy left.
Disseminate its contents liberally to empower the poor and the marginalised to obtain their entitlements
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CONTENTS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
Introduction
Abbreviations
Background to the Right to Food Case
Right to Food Schemes
1. Public Distribution System
2. Antyodaya Anna Yojana
3. Annapoorna Scheme
4. Integrated Child Development Scheme
5. Midday Meal Scheme
6. National Family Benefit Scheme
7. National Maternity Benefit Scheme
8. National Old Age Pension Scheme
9. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
Redress Mechanisms
Right to Information Act
Ten Commandments on the Right to Food Schemes
Building People’s Movement
Websites on Right to Food Campaign
Contacts of RTF National and State advisors
Right to Food network of JPD Commission
Page No.
5
7
8
PDS
AAY
APS
ICDS
MDMS
NFBS
MNBS
NOAPS
NREGA
9
11
12
13
16
18
20
22
24
28
29
34
42
43
44
45
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Constitutional Provisions Relating to the Right to Food
✦ Article 21: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established
by law.”
✦ Article 39(a): “The State shall…. direct its policy towards securing that the citizens, men and women equally,
have the right to an adequate means of livelihood…”
✦ Article 47: “ The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and
the improvement of public health as among its primary duties…’
National Food Security Act...
✦ Ensures food security to the poor and vulnerable sections of the society and makes freedom from hunger and
malnutrition a fundamental right.
✦ Provides for and asserts the physical, economic and social right of all citizens to have access to safe and
nutritious food, consistent with an adequate diet necessary to lead an active and healthy life with dignity…”
✦ Is expanded to a set of beneficiaries including destitute and vulnerable households besides below the
poverty line (BPL) families and those eligible under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
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I. INTRODUCTION
Untruth cannot be foisted on the masses. The
glaring example is the “India shining” slogan
that was greeted with outright rejection by the
people – just because the slogan did not match
the reality. The development or the growth that
we find in India today is greatly lopsided, being
elusive to a vast majority of the Indian
population. Even as the protagonists of mainstream development
brag about the ’achievements’ the country has made, every third
Indian lives Below Poverty Line; 6000 Children in India die every
day due to malnutrition; women are still considered second class
citizens; thousands of indigenous people are displaced and driven
out of their habitat and millions of dalits are treated as less than
human.
demands of the Holy Scriptures and the Social Teachings of the
Church. She sees the scum of the earth as people with dignity and
as rights-holders. In view of ensuring Sarvodaya, the Commission
saw the need for empowering the least. Starting with the national
training in Rights Based Approach in August 2004, the Commission
has organized a series of training programmes in RBA and
Advocacy all over the country, thus creating scores of rights-activists
and human rights-advocates who are committed to the
empowerment of the poorest of the poor in the country.
In June 2007, the Commission organized a national level Trainingcum-Workshop on the Right to Food (RTF) for grass roots activists.
This landmark training that saw the involvement of the Supreme
Court Advisors and State Advisors on RTF resulted in the
Commission’s launch of the National Campaign for Right to Food.
Development is worth its name only when it is inclusive and
Sarvodaya, the welfare of all, is established. And Sarvodaya is
possible only when Antyodaya – the welfare of the least, the last
and the lost – is taken care of. The CBCI Commission for Justice,
Peace and Development through her undertakings gives special
focus on Antyodaya. This she does in continuation of the mission
and message of Jesus and in compliance with the prophetic
This booklet that explains at length the RTF Schemes and the
Supreme Court Orders through PowerPoint and 10
Commandments etc is indeed a tool of empowerment for the
poorest of the poor – the tribals, the dalit, the slum dwellers and the
rural poor – about the food-related Government schemes and the
Supreme Court Orders.
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Fr Nithiya OFM Cap, the JPD Secretary, and Sr Mariola B S, the
RTF Coordinator, for their efforts at enabling the marginalized people
to claim their Rights.
State has the duty to respect, protect and provide for the rights of
her people – failing which, the citizens should claim their entitlements
through redress mechanisms. The book provides ample
information on the use of Right to Information Act in reference to
Right to Food. Campaigning and lobbying for justice and peace will
become effective only by building people into a movement. Hence
a chapter on Movement Building finds a place in this book.
The Justice, Peace and Development Commission of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of India is happy to be at the service of the
millions through this book. Together with the Members of the
Commission, I invite every reader to be a partner, a collaborator, in
the Commission’s prophetic and liberative mission of creating a
just and peaceful society.
This book will soon be available in ten Regional languages for
wider circulation among the masses. In this nationwide campaign
on the Right to Food, the Commission places on record the
dedicated services of a team of committed workers. I thank Mr.
Biraj Patnaik, Principal Advisor to the Right to Food Case for his
sessions and Mr. Thanveer for his inputs on some of the RTF
Schemes and Mr. Antony Arulraj for his contribution in the
preparation of this booklet. I also thank Mr. Sachin Jain and Fr.
James Mascarenhas SJ for their valuable materials which are
developed into PowerPoint presentations.
Bishop Yvon Ambroise, Chairman
CBCI Commission for Justice, Peace and Development
“The surest way for evil to triumph is
for good people to do nothing.”
—Sir Edmund Burke
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the great support from the
Cordaid of the Netherlands and its team-members: Ms. Stephanie
Joubert, Ms. Sabina Atzei and Mr. Frederique Van Drumpt. I
commend them on their edifying commitment towards the poorest
of the poor. Worthy of my special appreciation and admiration are
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II. ABBREVIATIONS
AAY
ACA
ANMS
APL
AWCS
BDO
BPL
CBOS
CDPO
CEO
CIP
DSO
DT
EGS
FAE
FCI
FPS
GDP
GR
ICDS
JSY
LSG
MAVIM
MDMS
MM
MNMBS
MT
NCAS
Antyodya Anna Yojana
Additional Central Assistance
Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery
Above Poverty Line
Anganwadi Centers
Block Development Officer
Below Poverty Line
Community Based Organisation
Child Development Project Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Central Issue Price
District Supply Officer
Denotified Tribes
Employment Guarantee Scheme
Food Assisted Education
Food Corporation of India
Fair Price Shop
Gross Domestic Product
Gazette Resolution
Integrated Child Development Scheme
Janani Suraksha Yojana
Local Self Government
Mahila Arthik Vikas Maha Mandal
Mid-day meal Scheme
Mahila Mandal
Maharashtra for National Maternity Benefit Scheme
Million Tones
National Centre for Advocacy Studies
NCMP
NFBS
NMBS
NOAPS
NRHM
NSAP
NSDP
NSSO
NT
OBC
PDS
PHC
PIL
PT
PUCL
SC
SGRY
SHG
SJSRA
SPSS
SSA
ST
TPDS
UPA
UT
UWEP
VEC
ZP
National Common Minimum Programme
National Family Benefit Scheme
National Maternity Benefit Scheme
National Old Age Pension Scheme
National Rural Health Mission
National Social Assistance Programme
National Slum Development Programme
National Statistical Survey Organisation
Notified Tribes
Other Backward Caste
Public Distribution System
Primary Health Centre
Public Interest Litigation
Primitive Tribes
Peoples Union for Civil Liberties
Scheduled Caste
Suvarnajayanti Grameen Rojzar Yojana
Self Help Group
Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rojgar Yojana
Statistical Package for Social Sciences
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Scheduled Tribe
Targeted Public Distribution System
United Progressive Alliance
Union Territory
Urban Wage Employment Programme
Village Education Committee
Zilla Parishad
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III. BACKGROUND TO THE RIGHT TO FOOD CASE
In the Year 2001, a PIL petition was filed at a time when the FCI
stores/godowns were overflowing with food grains on one hand
and there were reports of the intensified hunger and Starvation in
drought affected areas due to the inadequate relief.
Development Scheme (ICDS); National Maternity Benefit Scheme
(NMBS) and National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). The same
order also directed Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) to
adequately publicize various schemes and this order.
The basic argument is that the right to food is an implication of the
fundamental “right to life” enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian
Constitution. The petition argues that Central and State Governments
have violated the right to food by failing to respond to the drought
situation, and in particular by accumulating gigantic food stocks
while people went hungry.
If there is no struggle, there is no
progress. Those who profess to
favour freedom and yet depreciate
agitation are people who want
crops without ploughing up
ground....
- Frederick Douglass
The Right to Food case is being heard from 2001 and in the last
eight years, the Supreme Court has passed a series of significant
and historic interim orders that have touched the lives of millions of
people living in poverty.
The Supreme Court order dated 28 November, 2001, was related
to the eight nutrition related programmes including the Targeted
Public Distribution System (TPDS); Antyodaya Anna Yojana
(AAY); Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS); National Old Age
Pension Scheme (NOAPS); Annapurna; Integrated Child
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IV. RIGHT TO FOOD SCHEMES
1.2. Outline on PDS
• Public Distribution System (PDS) is one of the oldest food
subsidy programmes in the country.
• Rationing was introduced in 1939 by the British Government
and the basic framework for the PDS was firmed up in 1942.
• Most recent change was the introduction of the Targeted
Public Distribution System (TPDS) in 1997.
• Targeted Public Distribution System made a distinction
between the BPL, Antyoday and APL families.
• Distributing food grains and other basic commodities like
kerosene and sugar at subsidized prices through FPS.
• Every family is supposed to have a ration card.
• Each category (APL, BPL, AAY) is entitled to 35 kgs of
grains per month but the price is higher for APL households.
• BPL families should get Wheat@5 Rs per kg and Rice @6.50
Rs per kg.
• Antyodaya families should get Wheat @2 Rs per kg and
Rice @3 Rs per kgs.
• Gram Sabhas in rural areas and local bodies in urban areas
carry out identification from amongst the poor families. And
the poorest of the poor in rural and urban areas are issued
special AAY ration cards.
1. PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 23 July 2001, 2 May 2003, 27 Apr. 2004, 12
July 2006)
Public Distribution System helps people Below Poverty
Line (BPL) to get essential commodities from Fair Price
Shops.
1.1. Historical Overview
• Rationing started in 1939 (in Bombay by the British
Government)
• 1942 – Basic Principles of PDS laid down
• 1943 – Rationing in all urban centers (population more than
100,000 started)
• 1965 – Food Corporation of India and Agricultural Price
Commission started
• 1982 – Made part of the 20 Point Programme
• 1984 – Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies formed
• 1992 – Revamped Public Distribution System initiated
• 1997 – Targeted PDS introduced
• 2001 – PDS Control Order promulgated by the Govt.
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1.3. Accountability of PDS dealers
Licenses of PDS shop keepers should be cancelled if they
• don’t keep their shops open throughout the month.
• keep the Ration cards with them.
• make false entries in the ration cards.
• are engaged in black marketing of grains.
• hand over the shop to other persons/organizations.
• fail to provide grains to BPL families at BPL rates.
1.4. Operational strategy
• PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of
the Central and the State Governments.
• The Central Government has taken the responsibility for
procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of
food grains, etc.
• The responsibility for distributing the same to the consumers
through the network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) rests with
the State Governments.
• The operational responsibilities including allocation within the
State, identification of families below poverty line, issue
of ration cards, supervision and monitoring the functioning
of FPS rest with the State Governments.
1.5. Strategies for Monitoring
• Does the PDS shop open through out the month at prescribed
time?
• Do all the families in the village have ration cards?
• Are the ration cards kept with shopkeeper?
• How is the quality of food grains?
• Are the rations given in installments?
• Whether the per month ration is less than 35kg?
• Number of BPL and Antyoday card holders in the village.
• Are the rates charged higher than prescribed rates?
• Did the beneficiaries complain that they have to pay bribes to
receive the BPL/AAY cards?
• Is false entry made in ration cards?
• Whether the BPL survey or the process of identification of
BPL/AAY is true?
• Check whether the primitive tribal groups, disabled persons,
pregnant and lactating mother, the old and destitute, widows
etc have been given the AAY
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched,
every rocket, fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft
from those who hunger and are not fed, those who
are cold and are not clothed“
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
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• State govt. should ensure that these sections be included in
AAY. All ration shops must be open 26 days in a month
during fixed hours, the details of which will be displayed on
the notice board.
• State govt. should provide grains free of cost to those who
are so poor that they are unable to lift the quota.
• Awareness generation so as to make BPL families aware of
their entitlements.
• BPL should be eligible for 35kgs of Food grains per month.
• AAY card holder should also get 35kgs of food grains per
month.
2. ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJANA (AAY)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 23 July 2001, 29 Oct. 2002, 2 May 2003,
20 Apr. 2004 , 17 Oct. 2004)
Antyodaya Anna Yojana Scheme targets to ensure the food
security for the poorest of the poor. Six priority groups are
entitled for AAY card.
2.1. Eligibility
The following groups should be placed in AAY Categories:
• The aged, infirm, disabled, destitute men and women,
pregnant and lactating women.
• Widows and other single women with no regular support;
• Old persons (aged above 60/65yrs) with no regular support
or means of subsistence.
• Household where due to old age, lack of physical or mental
fitness, social customs need to care for disabled, or other
reasons, no adult member is available to engage in gainful
employment.
• Primitive Tribal Groups
2.3. Check list
• Does the PDS shop open throughout the month at prescribed
time?
• Do all the families in the village have ration cards?
• Are the ration cards kept with shopkeeper?
• How is the quality of food grains?
• Are the rations given in installments?
• Is the monthly ration less than 35kg?
• Number of BPL and Antyoday card holders in the village.
• Are the rates charged higher than prescribed rates?
• Did the beneficiaries complain that they have to pay bribes to
receive the BPL/AAY cards?
2.2. Obligations of the Government
• State govt. should formulate the scheme to extend the benefits
of AAY to the destitute persons.
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3. ANNAPURNA
• Is false entry made in ration cards?
• Whether the BPL survey or the process of identification of
BPL/AAY is true?
• Check whether the PTGs, disabled persons, pregnant and
lactating mother, the old and destitute, widow etc have been
given the AAY
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 27 Apr. 2004)
Annapurna scheme provides food security to the senior
citizens who are 65 years of age or above, who are not getting
any support for their livelihood.
3.1. Outline of the Scheme
• It was launched in 2000 to cover senior citizens who are 65
years of age or above who though eligible for old age pension
under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) are
not getting the pension.
• The beneficiaries are entitled to 10 Kgs of free food grains per
person per month.
• From 2002–2003 it has been transferred to State Plan along
with the National Social Assistance Programme.
• With the pension amount enhanced to Rs. 200/- a month,
absence of a matching increase in the entitlement under
Annapurna makes it even less lucrative and beneficial and of
lower value.
2.4. Redress mechanisms
• Find out what is happening In your area regarding the
implementation of SC order.
• Surveys and informal enquiries can be done for understanding
the situation.
• Involve the Gram Sabha and all concerned persons of the
village in the enforcement of SC orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC order start responding at
local level.
• If it does not work, try to approach the concerned officers.
• In case of no responses approach the Collector because
collector is bound to register your complaint under the SC
order.
• The public hearing is one of the good options to draw attention
of the public as well as the government.
• If no action was taken on your complaint move to the advisor
of the SC.
3.2. Supreme Court Orders
• As with other food-related schemes, the Supreme Court order
of 28th November 2001 calls for prompt implementation of
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• Make the School children and village committee to be aware
of the benefits of this scheme.
Annapurna (“the States/Union Territories are directed to
identify the beneficiaries and distribute the grain latest by 1st
January, 2002”).
• Take up grievances related to Annapurna scheme to the local
panchayat, Tasildar and the district collector through Right to
Information.
• As with Old Age Pension Scheme and Family Benefit
Scheme, this scheme is not to be discontinued or restricted
in any way without the permission of the Supreme Court.
“A hungry man is not a free man”
3.3. Issues
• Field reports suggest that the coverage is very limited.
Occasional reports say that this scheme has been
discontinued in some states. Now the NOAPS has been
universalised
4. INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (ICDS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 7 Oct 2004, 13 Dec. 2006)
ICDS protects the rights of children under 6 Yrs, Pregnant
Women, Lactating Mother and Adolescent girls. Their
Nutrition, Health and Pre- School education are taken care
of through this scheme.
• It may not be implemented any more.
3.4. Redress Mechanisms
4.1. Background
• Started in the year 1975 to eradicate Malnutrition among
children under 6 yrs old and to give a foundation for children’s
psychological, physical and social development.
• To decrease the instances of infant and child deaths, life
threatening diseases, and dropout tradition
• Beneficiaries: 0-6 years Children, Pregnant Women, Lactating
Mothers and Adolescent girls.
• Through the Self Help Groups find out if all deserving persons
come under Annapurna Scheme.
• Check if every Annapurna card holder gets one’s entitlement
of 10kgs of free food grains every month from ration shops.
• Make your Grama panchayat select Annapurna beneficiaries
at the earliest.
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4.4. Services
• Supplementary Nutrition: For Children, Pregnant and Lactating
women and Adolescent girls.
• Growth monitoring and promotion – Weighing and recording
the growth of children under 6.
• Nutrition and Health Education: For the women in the group of
15 to 45
• Immunization: Support to ANM, awareness generation
among the parents etc.
• Health services: Check-up, monitoring of pregnant women’s
health, weighing record, primary care etc.
• Referral services: Taking severely malnourished and ill
children to the public health services.
• Pre- School education: For the children under 6, so that they
can join the School based learning system smoothly
4.2. Indian context
• 46% of India’s children under six are malnourished; 75%
children are anaemic; 6000 children die every day in India
due to malnutrition generated or infectious diseases. Severe
malnutrition affects the physical and mental development,
80% development takes place in initial 2 yrs of age. 55%
women and 53% adolescent girls are anaemic. There are
77,000 maternal deaths every year in India.
• This is the one & the only programme for children under six.
4.3. ICDS and Child Rights
• Right to Nutrition - Every child has a fundamental right to
nutrition, health and education.
• Right to survival- The first 6 years are the most crucial period
for survival of children.
• Right to development- 0-6 years is the most rapid period of
child development.80% of brain growth takes place in these
6 years.
• Right to Participation –Then only children will be able to be a
part of socialization and development processes.
• State has to ensure that they are considered as a stakeholder
in the decision making process.
4.5. Reasons for Special focus on the ICDS
• One and only institutionalised mechanism to address the
issues of children under six in India.
• India has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition and
mortality in the world, with the largest number of malnourished
children.
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4.6. Special Orders
• Order on “Anganwadi on Demand”: AWC should be
provided within three months in cases where a settlement
has at least 40 children under six but no AWC (rural
communities and urban slums)
• Orders on operationalization of ICDS AWC should give
services for the period of 300 days a year.
• Order on Provision of Supplementary Nutrition (SNP):
Contractors shall not be used for SNP supply.
• Local women’s self groups and Mahila Mandals should be
encouraged to supply the Supplementary food distributed in
AWCs. They can make purchases, prepare the food locally,
and supervise the distribution. Slums must be provided with
AWCs.
• ICDS services should never be restricted to BPL families.
Cooked food shall be served at the centres
• Find out what is happening in your area regarding the
the situation.
• Involve the gram sabha and other institutions like vigilance
committee, mahila mandals and all concerned persons of
the village in the enforcement of SC orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC order, start responding at
the local level.
• If it does not work try to approach the concerned officers.
• In case of no responses approach Collector because collector
is bound to register your complaint under the SC Order.
• The public hearing is one of the good option to draw attention
• If no action was taken on your complaint move to the advisor
of the SC.
• Get the principle right: Universalisation with quality.
• Understand the detailed orders on universalisation and
numbers of ICDS Centres, details of entitlements.
• Exert pressure on State Governments through local actions
in the States.
• Exert pressure on the GOI through focussed media advocacy
and “events”.
4.7. Check List
• Who is supplying the Supplementary nutrition?
• Are the children weighed regularly?
• Are the health check ups camps being provided in the centre?
• Are any referral services provided in the AWC?
• Does the ANM visit the AWC regularly for immunization?
• Has any child died due to malnutrition in the village?
• Is any pre-school education provided in AWC?
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• Provide assistance for cooked Mid-Day Meal during
summer vacations.
• Provide assistance to construct kitchen-cum-store in a
phased manner up to a maximum of Rs.60,000/- per unit.
• Provide assistance in a phased manner for provisioning and
replacement of kitchen devices at an average cost of Rs.
5,000/- per school.
• Provide assistance to States/ UTs for Management,
Monitoring & Evaluation.
5. MIDDAY MEAL SCHEMES
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 20 Apr. 2004, 17 Oct. 2004)
Midday Meal Scheme attends to the nutritional rights of
children from the age of 5 years and promotes both right to
food and right to education
5.1. Background
• Target: Children of Primary and Middle School.
• Boost universalisation of primary education by increasing
enrolment, retention and attendance
• Improve the nutritional status of children in primary and middle
classes
• Calories : 300-450, Protein: 8–12 Gms
• Micronutrients: Adequate quantities of micronutrients like iron,
folic acid, Vitamin A etc.
• Supply of free food grains (wheat/rice) at 100 Grams per
child per School Day from the nearest FCI (Food Corporation
of India) godown
• North Eastern states – 1.8 Rs per child per day, other States
Rs. 1.5 Per Child Per Day
5.2. Rights Based Approach
Midday meals serve many other important purposes, such as
• Fostering social equity, promoting school participation,
• Preventing classroom hunger,
• Facilitating the healthy growth of children,
• Intrinsic educational value
• A healthy midday meal can protect children from hunger,
and provide supplementary nutrition.
• Cooked midday meals contribute to the right to education by
facilitating regular school attendance and enhancing children’s
learning abilities.
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• As per the December 2004 guidelines, State Governments
were expected to issue state-specific guidelines for the
scheme.
• Provide every child in every Govt. and govt. assisted Primary
school with a prepared mid day meal with a minimum content
of 300 calories and 8-12 Grams of protein each day of school
for minimum of 200 days.
• These guidelines to have state-specific details of
implementation of the scheme, including administrative &
logistical arrangements.
• Revised norm of Govt. of India (GOI): 450 calories and 12
grams of protein.
5.4. Check List
• Preference should be given to Dalits, SC and ST in
appointment of cooks and helpers.
• Does the School open regularly throughout the month at
prescribed time?
• Mid day meal should be provided in drought affected areas
during summer vacations.
• What is the number of children in the School?
• GOI shall make provisions for construction of kitchen sheds
in every school.
• Is cooked meal being served in schools?
• Govt. should ensure good infrastructure, safe drinking water
and quality of meal.
• How is the quality of meal?
• What is the menu of the meal?
• Does the school have facility of drinking water, kitchen shed
and utensils?
• There should be joint quality monitoring
• FCI should ensure provision of fair average quality of grains
for MDM. The state/UTs and the FCI are directed to do joint
inspection of food grains.
• Do all children sit together while eating the meal?
• Are the children getting full meal or not?
• No Charges: Meal should be provided without any cost or
contribution.
17
implementation of SC Order.
• Surveys and informal enquires can be done for
understanding the situation.
• Involve the Gram Sabha and other institutions like PTA,
vigilance committee, Mahila Mandals and all concerned
persons of the village in the enforcement of SC orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC order, access redress
mechanisms at local level first.
• In case of no responses, approach the Collector because he
is bound to register your complaint under the SC order.
• If no action was taken on your complaint, move to the advisor
of the SC.
6. NATIONAL FAMILY BENEFIT SCHEME (NFBS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 27 Apr. 2004, 18 Nov. 2004)
Old Age Pension scheme ensures right to life to the senior
citizens. It provides both food security and social security
to those above 65 years with no adequate support for
livelihood.
6.1. Background
• It was implemented as a part of the NSAP in 2005.
• In 2002-03 it was transferred to the State Governments and
from Centrally Sponsored Scheme to State plan
• This is amongst the least priority schemes.
• The target is on the effect of deaths of Primary breadwinner
(age between18 to 65 years) of BPL families.
6.2. Entitlements
• On the death of Primary breadwinner of the BPL family, a
lump sum cash of 10000 Rs should be given in case of
accidental deaths and 5000 Rs in case of death by Natural
causes.
• The payment is to be made to the surviving head of the
household after a local enquiry.
“The worsening scandal of hunger is unacceptable
in a world which has the resources, the knowledge,
and the means available to bring it to an end.”
- Pope Benedict XVI
18
• Involve the Gram Sabha and other institutions like PTA,
vigilance committee, Mahila Mandals and all concerned
persons of the village in the enforcement of SC orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC Order start with redress
mechanisms at local level.
• If it does not work, try to approach the superior officers.
• In case of no responses, approach the Collector because he
is bound to register your complaint under the SC Order.
• The public hearing is one of the good option to draw attention
6.3. Supreme court Orders on NFBS
• BPL families should be paid 10000 Rs within four weeks
through local sarpanch when the breadwinner dies.
• The scheme is not to be discontinued or restricted without
the permission of SC.
6.4. Check list
• How many BPL families in the village who lost their earning
member have got the benefits?
• How many cases are pending?
• Was an application filed or not?
• Was the benefit given within four weeks of the death?
• Did the family get the full amount of Rs 10,000/- ?
• The number of families who have applied for the Scheme but
have not been included in the list?
of the SC.
implementation of SC Order.
the situation.
As I have said before, the ever more sophisticated weapons
piling up in the arsenals of the wealthiest and the mightiest
can kill the illiterate, the ill, the poor and the hungry, but
they cannot kill ignorance, illness, poverty or hunger”
– Fidel Castro
19
• The guidelines did not retain the objective of ensuring food
security for all pregnant BPL women unencumbered by any
other conditionality.
7. NATIONAL MATERNITY BENEFIT SCHEME (NMBS)
(Janani Suraksha Yojana – JSY)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 22 Apr. 2004, 9 May 2005, 11 Nov. 2007)
7.2. NMBS and JSY
• The NMBS was merged into the Janani Suraksha Yojana
(scheme for promoting institutional deliveries.) As a result
many women who are eligible for NMBS and had a home
delivery were not getting benefit. But the SC Order of 20
November, 2007 clarified that NMBS must continue.
• Calculations in the Sixth Report of the Commissioners showed
that on an average nearly 65.5% of the eligible beneficiaries
under NMBS would get zero direct cash assistance under
JSY, because they would be debarred by the eligibility
requirements introduced by JSY.
• In response to the intervention by the Commissioners, a
letter communicating the following modifications to the Janani
Suraksha Yojana was sent to the Commissioners
• Rs. 500/- will be paid to all pregnant eligible BPL women
irrespective of place of delivery under JSY and also it is not
mandatory that the benefits are given only after ante-natal
check ups.
Maternity Benefit Scheme meets the maternity needs of
BPL families during pregnancy and after delivery. This
reduces maternal and infant mortality through increased
health services.
7.1. Background
• The scheme was launched on 15th August 1995, as a part of
NSAP and later transferred to the Health Ministry in the year
2001.
• Under NMBS, pregnant women, above 19 years, from BPL
families are entitled to lump-sum cash assistance of Rs. 500,
up to two live births, 8–12 weeks before delivery.
• The National Maternity Benefit Scheme was modified into a
new scheme called Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and
launched with effect from 12th April, 2005.
• The objectives of the JSY are reducing maternal mortality/
infant mortality through increased delivery at health institutions
while the focus of the NMBS was provision of maternity
benefits.
20
• Women who have institutional delivery will be paid a higher
amount.
• In low performing states, the age bar and restriction of number
of births for which assistance is provided under NMBS, have
been removed. For institutional delivery BPL criterion has
been removed.
• Given the frequent changes and low priority of the scheme to
many state governments, the scheme had become almost
non-functional in many states.
• Is the time taken to sanction of benefit after submitting the
application too long?
• Who disburses the cash assistance to the beneficiary?
• Is the Gram Sabha involved in identifying the beneficiaries?
• If yes, then have the people who have been recommended
by the Gram Sabha received the benefit?
• List out the people who are eligible but did not receive the
benefits.
7.5. Redress mechanism
the situation.
• Involve the AWW, ANM, ASHA,MPW, Gram Sabha and all
concerned persons of the village in the enforcement of SC
orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC Order, start with redress
mechanisms at local level.
• If it does not work try to approach the superior officers.
• In case of no responses, approach the Collector because
Order.
7.3. Supreme court orders
• NMBS should not be restricted or discontinued in any way.
• It should be ensured that the BPL pregnant women get cash
assistance 8-12 weeks prior to the delivery.
• The amount shall be Rs 500 per birth irrespective of the
number of children and the age of the women.
7.4 Check List
• Do Women of BPL families get the Benefit of NMBS? Do all
beneficiaries get Rs.500?
• Did they get it 8-12 weeks prior to delivery? If not when did
they get the benefit?
• Did the beneficiaries complain that they had to pay bribes to
receive the benefit?
21
of the SC.
• NOAPS was started in 1995 as part of NSAP and at that time
the quantum of benefit was fixed at Rs. 75 per month per
pensioner.
• The three eligibility criteria laid out for the scheme include
BPL Status, Destitute status and above 65 years of age
“Peace begins when the hungry are fed ”
8.2. Revision of Assistance
• In the financial year 2006–2007, the central contribution to the
pension amount under NOAPS has been increased from
Rs. 75/- to Rs. 200/- per month per pensioner and it was
recommended states should contribute an equal amount.
• It reduced the no. of beneficiaries using 28% poverty estimate.
• The GOI allocates funds for only 50% of the people below
poverty line.
-Anonymous
8. NATIONAL OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (NOAPS)
Family Benefit Scheme attends to the Food security of BPL
families on the death of primary breadwinner of the family. It
supports the dependents of the diceased.
• State Govt. should complete the identification of persons
entitled to pensions under NOAPS and it should ensure that
the pensions are paid regularly.
• Payment of pension is to be made by the 7th day of the
month.
• The scheme must not be discontinued or restricted without
the permission of Supreme Court.
8.1. Background
• This issue relates to the exclusion of the Old (65 years and
above) from the society.
• The old: One of the most neglected social group.
• In 2002-03 it was transferred to the State Governments and
from Centrally Sponsored Scheme to State plan.
• It is the first and by far the most significant scheme
implemented at the national level to address the basic survival
needs of the aged destitute in the country.
22
• Involve the AWW, ANM, ASHA,MPW, Gram Sabha and all
concerned persons of the village in the enforcement of SC
orders.
• In case of any violation of the SC order start with the redress
mechanism at the local level.
• In case of no responses, approach the Collector because
Order.
of the SC.
8.4. Check List
• The total of Aged people in the village; Number of pensioners
in the village.
• Regularity in distribution of pension. Do BPL aged 65 years
and above get the Benefit of NOAPS?
• What amount of pension do they receive? Do they get the
same amount of pension every month?
• Who disburses the pension to the beneficiary? Do they receive
the benefit before 7th of every month?
• Do the beneficiaries complain that they have to pay bribes to
receive the benefit?
• Number of people who have applied for the pension but their
names have not yet been included in the list.
• Is the Gram Sabha involved in identifying the beneficiaries?
• If yes, then the people who have been recommended by the
Gram Sabha received the benefit?
8.5. Redress mechanism
the situation.
“There are people in the world so hungry, that God
cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”
- Gandhi
23
9.2. Specific Elements of NREGS
• Eligibility: Anyone above the age of 18 residing in rural areas
• Entitlement: Any applicant is entitled to work, for as many
days as he/she has applied, subject to a minimum of 100
days per household per year.
• Distance: Within a radius of 5 kilometres of the applicant’s
residence if possible, and in any case within the Block. If
work is provided beyond 5 kilometres, travel allowances
have to be paid.
• Wages: Statutory minimum wage applicable to agricultural
labourers in the state, unless and until the Central Government
“notifies” a different wage rate. If the Central Govt. notifies, it is
subject to a minimum of Rs 60 per day.
• Timely payment: Weekly, or in any case not later than a
fortnight. Payment to be made directly to the person concerned
in the presence of independent persons of the community on
pre-announced dates.
9. NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE
SCHEME – NREGS
(Ref: National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005)
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme tackles the problem of unemployment in the
country especially in rural areas through local participation in planning, implementing
and evaluating the work undertaken.
9.1. Background
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 is a
law whereby any adult who is willing to do unskilled manual
work at the minimum wage is entitled to being employed on
public works within 15 days of applying.
• NREGS is to provide livelihood and to create sustainable
assets
• Job cards will be issued for a period of 5 Years and then will
be renewed by the panchayat
• BPL Census-2003 (not the BPL list) will be the base for
issuing Job cards
• Work will be provided on the First Come, First Serve basis
• The entitlement of a family can be divided into all the eligible
members of the family
• Work will be provided also to the persons with disabilities
• 50% work will be implemented by the Panchayat
• If work is not provided within 15 days, he/she is entitled to an
unemployment allowance.
9.3. Further Details NREGS
• Employment Guarantee Scheme: Each state government
has to put in place an “employment guarantee scheme”
(EGS) within six months.
24
• Permissible works: Water conservation, minor irrigation,
land development, rural roads, etc. However, “any other
work which may be notified by the Central Government in
consultation with the State Government” is allowed.
• Programme Officer: The EGS to be coordinated at the Block
level by a “Programme Officer”.
• Implementing agencies: Gram Panchayats (half of the EGS
works), other PRIs, line departments (PWD, Forest Dept.)
and NGOs.
• Contractors: Private contractors are banned.
• Decentralised planning: A shelf of projects is to be maintained
by the Programme Officer, based on proposals from the
implementing agencies. Each Gram Panchayat is also
supposed to prepare a shelf of works based on the
recommendations of the Gram Sabha.
• Transparency and accountability: Regular social audits by
the Gram Sabhas. There will be a vigilance committee at the
village level. All the information and records relating to bills,
vouchers, Employment status, Unemployment wages, paid
amount, Muster rolls, vigilance committee report will
compulsorily be presented to the gram sabha every 3
months.
9.4. Important Provisions
• Redress mechanism: “whoever contravenes the provisions
of this Act …liable to a fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees”.
• Cost sharing: Central Government will pay for labour and
75% of material costs. State governments pay unemployment
allowance and 25% of material costs.
• Time frame: initially in 200 districts, to be extended to the
whole of rural India.
• Other Provisions: 33% Reservation for Women,
Unemployment allowance and Minimum facilities at work
place/sites such as safe drinking water, shelter, minimum
health facilities and child care
9.5. Social Audit
• All efforts should be made to ensure transparency and
accountability
• All accounts and records relating to work shall be made
available for public scrutiny
• A copy of Muster Rolls of every work shall be made available
in the office of PO & GP for inspection by any person after
paying a fee
25
• The DPO, PO & GP shall prepare annual report containing
the facts and figures and achievements relating to scheme
within its jurisdiction; All the above documents shall be made
available to the public on demand and on payment of
prescribed fees.
• Sanction and disburse the unemployment allowance.
• Sanction projects to be taken up by the Gram Panchayats
as well as by other implementing agencies within the
jurisdiction of the Programme Officer.
• Monitor the projects taken up by the Gram Panchayats and
other implementing agencies within the Block.
• Keep a copy of the muster rolls available for inspection “by
any person interested”.
• Ensure that regular social audits of all works are carried out
by the Gram Sabha.
• Deal promptly (within seven days) with any complaint that
may arise in connection with the implementation of the
Scheme.
• Prepare an annual report on the implementation of REGS in
the Block.
• Assist the “Intermediate Panchayat” in discharging its functions
under the Act.
• Any other work that may be assigned to the Programme
Officer by the District Programme Coordinator or the State
Government.
9.6. Functions of the duty bearers of NREGS
A. Responsibilities of the Block Officer
• Ensure that every applicant is provided unskilled manual
work in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme within
fifteen days.
• Prepare a plan for the Block by consolidating the project
proposals prepared by the Gram Panchayats and other
implementing agencies.
• Match the demand for employment with the employment
opportunities available in the Block.
• Receive applications for work and issue a dated receipt to the
applicant. (This responsibility is shared with the Gram
Panchayat.), Notify applicants to report for work. (This
responsibility is also shared with the Gram Panchayat.)
• Ensure prompt and fair payment of wages to all labourers
employed under REGS.
26
B.
•
•
•
•
•
• Implement works that have been sanctioned by the
Programme Officer.
• Make all relevant documents available to the Gram Sabha
for the purpose of social audits.
• Keep a copy of the muster rolls available for public scrutiny
at the Panchayat office.
• Prepare an annual report on the implementation of the
Scheme.
Responsibilities of the Intermediate Panchayat
Send “proposals” of works to be taken up under REGS to
the Programme Officer.
Implement projects that have been sanctioned by the
Programme Officer.
Approve the Block Plan and forward it to the District Panchayat
for final approval.
Supervise and monitor the projects taken up at the Gram
Panchayat and Block level.
Any other duties that may be assigned to the Intermediate
Panchayat by the State Council.
D.Responsibilities of the Gram Sabha
• Recommend “projects” to the Gram Panchayat and make
recommendations to the Gram Panchayat for the
“development plan” and “shelf of possible works”.
• Monitor the execution of works within the Gram Panchayat.
• Conduct regular social audits of all the projects taken up
within the Gram Panchayat.
C. Responsibilities of the Gram Panchayat
• Prepare a development plan and maintain a shelf of possible
works to be taken up under REGS, taking into account the
recommendations of the Gram Sabha.
• Register those who are willing to work under REGS and
issue a job card to them.
• Receive applications for work and issue a dated receipt to the
applicant.
• Allocate work opportunities among the applicants and ask
them to report for work.
• Display a list of persons who are being provided with work on
its notice board.
“ When you give food to the poor, they call
you a saint.When you ask why the poor have
no food, they call you a communist.”
- Archbishop Helder Camara,
Brazilian liberation theologian
27
V. REDRESS MECHANISMS ON RIGHT TO FOOD SCHEMES
(Ref: 8th May 2002)
1.
2.
“The Gram Sabhas are entitled to conduct a social audit into
all Food/ Employment schemes and to report all instances of
misuse of funds to the respective implementing authorities,
who shall on receipt of such complaints, investigate and take
appropriate action in accordance with law.”
Development, Government of India, shall function as
Commissioners of this Court for the purpose of looking into
any grievance that may persist ”
“On a complaint being made to the CEO/Collector regarding
non-compliance of the orders of this Court the Concerned
CEO/Collector shall record the salient features of the complaint
in a register maintained for this purpose, acknowledge receipt
of the complaint and forthwith secure compliance with this
Court’s order.”
3.
“The CEO/Collector of all the Districts shall scrutinize the action
taken by all the implementing agencies within their jurisdiction
to ensure compliance with this court’s orders and report to the
Chief Secretary.”
4.
The Chief Secretary of the State will ensure compliance with
the order of this Court.”
5.
“Dr. N.C. Saxena, former Planning Secretary, Government
of India, and Mr. S.R. Shankaran, former Secretary, Rural
6.
“On the Commissioner’s recommending a course of action
to ensure compliance with this Court’s order, the State
Government/UT administrations, shall forthwith act upon such
recommendation and report compliance.”
7.
“The Commissioners shall be at liberty to take the assistance
of individuals and reliable organizations in the State and Union
Territories to bring about effective monitoring and
implementation of the order of this Court.”
8.
“The Gram Sabhas are empowered to monitor the
implementation of the various schemes . The Gram Sabhas
can raise their grievances in the manner set out above”
“Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty
as cooperation with good.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
28
Devinder S
National F
VI. RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2005
• The citizens have right to receive information. The people of
this country have a right to know every public act, everything
that is done in a public way, by their public functionaries.
They are entitled to know the particulars of every public
transaction in all its bearing.
• The supreme court held that the freedom of speech and
expression includes the right to acquire information and to
disseminate and impart it.
VI. 1. Freedom of Expression
• Right to voice one’s opinion
• Right to seek information and ideas
• Right to receive information
• Right to impart information
• The Right to Information is the key to Democracy and
Development.
• The free flow of information remains severely restricted by
three factors:
• The Official Secrets Act, 1923
• The culture of secrecy and arrogance within the
bureaucracy
• The low levels of literacy and rights awareness amongst
our people.
VI. 3. History of the Right To Information Act 2005
• Introduced in Parliament December – 2004; Passed in
Parliament May 2005; Assent of the president 15th June
2005; Gazette on 21st June 2005 ; cames into force fully 12th
October 2005
• Objectives of the Act is to promote transparency and
accountability in the working of every public authority and to
set up a practical regime of right to information for citizens to
secure access to information that is under the control of public
authorities.
VI. 2. Constitutional Principle
• Article 19 1(a) right to freedom of speech and expression
comprehends right to know, and right to receive information
regarding matters of public concern. This right also emanates
from the preamble to our constitution which secures to all its
citizens liberty of thought and expression.
29
VI. 6. From whom information can be obtained?
VI. 4. What is Information?
• Material in any form including records, documents, memos,
emails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders,
logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data
material held in any electronic form.
• Information relating to any private body which can be
accessed by a public authority under any other law for the
time being in force.
• Any document, manuscript or file;
• Any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document;
• Any reproduction of image or images embodied in such
micro-film (whether enlarged or not); and
• Any other material produced by a computer or any other
device.
“Public Authority” means any authority or body or institution of
self-government established or constituted:
a. by or under the Constitution;
b. by any other law made by State Legislature;
c. by notification issued or order made by the appropriate
Government, and includes(i) any body owned, controlled or substantially financed;
(ii) non-Governmental organisation substantially financed,
directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate
Government;
When I was hungry, you did not feed me.
When I was thirsty, you did not give me to drink...
Therefore you are cursed to the eternal fire
– Mathew 25/41
VI. 5. How Information can be obtained?
• By Inspection of work, documents, records;
• By Taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or
records;
• By Taking certified samples of material;
• By Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies,
tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or
through printouts where such information is stored in a
computer or in any other device.
VI. 7. Important Features of the Act
• Information which cannot be denied to parliament or a State
Legislature shall not be denied to any person. Sec 8(1)(J)
• Information to be furnished within 30 days of receipt of the
application.
30
1.
E
an
2.
P
an
di
3.
Is
po
• Refusal to accept application without reason cause is an offence
VI. 8. Exemptions
. • Fine of Rs.250/- per day till the application is received up to
maximum of Rs.25,000/- and also recommend disciplinary
action. Sec 20(1).
• Information, disclosure of which prejudicially affect the
sovereignty and integrity of india, the security, strategic,
scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign
State or lead to incitement of an offence;
• In case of information concerning life or liberty of person,
information to be provided within 48 hours.
• Forbidden by court
• Assist the citizens making oral request for information to write
applications.
• Breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature;
• Commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property,
etc.,
• Application may be submitted by post.
• Applications may be in Hindi, English or in any language
• Fiduciary relationship
• Information received from foreign Government
• Information that will endanger the life or physical safety of any
person
• Information that will impede the process of investigations
• Cabinet papers until the decision is taken
• Personal information
• Reason for requesting information need not be given
·• Receipt for receiving the application to be issued.
• The application can be rejected only with written reasons.
• Disabled persons have to be assisted to access information.
• Appeals to be disposed of within 30 days – 15 days extendable
with reasons.
• Burden of proof lies on the Public Information Officer to justify
his / her decision.
• The Jurisdiction of courts are barred. Only the High Court
and the Supreme Court have power to look into the matter.
Since the same relates to fundamental rights of citizens
“There is no peace without justice”
– Pope John Paul II
31
VI. 9. Authorities under the Act
VI. 10. Obligations of Public Authorities
•
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO)
1.
•
Central Assistant Public Information Officer (CACPIO)
•
State Public Information Officer (SPIO)
•
State Assistant Public Information Officer (SAPIO)
•
Designated Senior Officer (DSO) - To look into cases of refusal
on appeal to the Departmental Appellant Authority (DAA)
•
Central Information Commission (CIC) -To look into cases
were the citizens are unsatisfied with the decision of the DAA.
The SIC has powers and responsibilities to monitor complaints
under the act and submit annual report to the Parliament.
Consist of Central Chief Information Commissioner and
Information Commissioners not exceeding 10.
•
State Information Commission (SIC) - To look into cases
were the citizens are unsatisfied with the decisionof the
DAA.The SIC has powers and responsibilities to monitor
complaints under the act and submit annual report to this
State Legislature. SIC consists of State Chief Information
Commissioner and Information Commissioners not
exceeding 10.
32
Every public authority shall:
• Maintain all its records duly catalogued and indexed in
a manner and the form which facilitates the right to
information under this Act and ensure that all records
that are appropriate to be computerized are, within a
reasonable time and subject to availability of resources,
computerized and connected through a network all over
the country on different systems so that access to such
records is facilitated;
• Publish within 120 days from the enactment of this Act,
• the particulars of its organisation, functions and
duties;
• the powers and duties of its officers and employees,
• the procedure followed in the decision making
process, including channels of supervision and
accountability;
• the norms set by it for the discharge of its functions;
• the rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records,
held by it or under its control or used by its employees for
discharging its functions;
• a statement of the categories of documents that are held by it
or under its control;
• particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or
authorizations granted by it;
• details in respect of the information, available to or held by it,
reduced in an electronic form;
• the particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining
information, including the working hours of a library or reading
room, if maintained for public use;
• the names, designations and other particulars of the Public
Information Officers; such other information as may be
prescribed;
• publish all relevant facts while formulation of important policies
or announcing the decisions which affect public;
• provide reasons for its administration or quasi-judicial
decisions to affected persons.
• It shall be a constant endeavour of every public authority to
take steps in accordance with the requirements of clause.(b)
of sub-section (1) to provide as much information suo motu
to the public at regular intervals through various means of
communications, including internet, so that the public have
minimum resort to the use of this Act to obtain information.
• For the purposes of sub-section (1), every information shall
be disseminated widely and in such form and manner which
is easily accessible to the public.
• the particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation
with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation
to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof;
• a statement of the boards, councils, committees and other
bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted as its
part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings
of those boards councils, committees and other bodies are
open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are
accessible for public;
• a directory of its officers and employees;
• the monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and
employees, including the system of compensation as provided
in its regulations;
• the budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the
particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports
on disbursements made;
• the manner of execution of subsidy programmers, including
the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such
programmes;
33
• All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration
the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective
method of communication in that local area and the information
should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in
electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer
or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be,
available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost
price as may be prescribed.
VII. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON THE RIGHT TO
FOOD SCHEMES
VII.1. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PDS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 23 July 2001, 2 May 2003, 27 Apr.
2004, 12 July 2006)
1. The Government shall make essential commodities available
through public distribution system (PDS) at subsidized prices
through “Fair Price Shops” (FPS) or ration shops.
2. You shall apply for and own a ration card to enjoy the benefits
of PDS.
3. Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL)
households shall be entitled to 35 kgs of grain per month.
4. Every Ration shop shall remain open 6 days a week and 8
hours a day.
5. The licenses of PDS dealers and shop-keepers shall be
cancelled if they (a) do not keep their shops open 6 days a
week and 8 hours per day (b) fail to provide grain at BPL
rates; (c) retain BPL cards; (d) make false entries in the BPL
cards;(e) engage in black-marketing the provisions from FPS.
No one has a right to sit down and feel
hopeless. There is too much work to do.
-Dorothy Day
6. You are entitled to buy the ration also in instalments.
34
VII.2. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON ANTYODAYA ANNA
YOJANA (AAY)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 23 July 2001, 29 Oct. 2002, 2 May
2003, 20 Apr 2004, 17 Oct. 2004)
7. The shopkeeper should lift the Ration and provide to the BPL
households in the first week of the month.
8. The FPS dealer shall display the date of arrival of commodities,
issue price and the stock position of each day.
1. The aged, infirm, disabled and destitute men/women, pregnant
and lactating women and primitive tribes shall be eligible for
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards.
2. You shall make sure that widows and other single women with
no regular support get AAY card.
3. You shall make sure that elders (aged 60 and above) with no
regular support and no assured means of subsistence also
get AAY card
4. The households with a disabled adult and no assured means
of subsistence shall be eligible for AAY card
5. The households where due to old age, lack of physical or
mental fitness, social customs, need to care for a disabled, no
adult member is available to engage in gainful employment
outside the house shall be eligible for AAY card
6. You shall give priority to the poorest of the poor in your area by
helping them to get their AAY cards.
7. Possession of a BPL card is not necessary for inclusion in
the AAY category.
9. You shall demand Receipts for your every purchase at the
ration shops.
10. You shall enter your complaints if any, in the Complaint Book
that should be visibly kept at every ration shops.
“Whenever a great army is formed,
hunger and evil follow.” —Book Of Tao
35
8. The Gramasabha / local body shall identify the ‘poorest of the
poor’ (Antyodaya) families and issue AAY cards.
9. Every Ration shop shall maintain ration card register, stock
register and sale register details which will be available to
anyone.
10. You shall collectively take up the grievances to the Local
Panchayat, Taluk food supply officer, the Tasildar and District
Collector through Right to Information.
5. You shall know that once NOAPS has been universalized
Annapurna scheme may not be continued.
6. Annapurna card holders shall claim grains from Ration shops.
7. You shall take responsibility for the elderly and obtain
Annapurna card for each eligible person.
8. You shall take up grievances related to Annapurna scheme to
the local panchayat, to Tasildar and to the district collector
through Right to Information.
9. Annapurna Scheme shall not be discontinued or restricted
without the permission of Supreme Court.
10. Every Annapurna Scheme beneficiary should be Below
Poverty Line.
VII.3. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON ANNAPURNA SCHEME (APS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 27 Apr. 2004)
1. All destitute persons aged 65 years or older who are not
covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme
(NOAPS) shall be eligible for Annapurna Scheme.
2. Every Annapurna card holder is entitled to 10kgs of free food
grains every month from ration shops.
3. Elderly person with Annapurna Card shall also be provided
emergency food security.
4. Every Grama panchayat shall select Annapurna beneficiaries
after wide publicity.
VII.4. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON MIDDAY MEAL SCHEME (MDMS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 20 Apr. 2004, 17 Oct 2004)
1. Every child in every Government and Government aided
school shall get free midday meal.
2. The midday meal shall be nutritious, clean, hot cooked
3. Every meal shall consist of a minimum content of 450 calories
and 12 grams of protein along with safe drinking water.
4. The Midday meals shall be provided to the children free of
cost.
36
VII.5. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT
SCHEME (ICDS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 7 Oct. 2004, 13 Dec. 2006)
5. Midday meals shall be provided each day of school for a
minimum of 200 days in a year; in drought affected areas, it
shall be supplied throughout the summer vacations.
6. In appointment of cooks and helpers for Midday meals,
preference shall be given to Dalits, Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes.
7. Provisions shall be made for the construction of kitchen sheds,
better infrastructure and improved facilities including facilities
for drinking water.
8. The Government shall provide assistance to construct Kitchen
cum store with Rs.60000 per unit and Rs.5000 per year for
replacements.
9. The Gram sabha and school management and Village
Education Committee shall monitor quality of food and
infrastructures, utlisation of funds and complain any misuse to
the education department and district collector.
10. The School administration shall remove caste prejudice by
teaching children to sit together and share the midday meal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Poverty is the worst form of Violence
– Gandhi
Every rural or urban hamlet with more than 40 children under
the age of six shall be entitled to an “anganwadi on demand”
You shall demand one ICDS centre or Anganwadi Centre
(AWC) for 300 – 800 population in tribal areas or for 400 - 800
population in plain, rural and urban areas.
All SC/ST habitations in the country shall have AWCs
Children up to 6 years shall be entitled to 300 calories and 810 grams of protein and adolescent girls to 500 calories and
20-25 grams of protein per day;
Pregnant and nursing mothers shall be entitled to 500 calories
and 20-25 grams of protein per day and per head for 300
days in a year, under ICDS Scheme.
All Undernourished/Malnourished Children – irrespective of
Caste and Religion – shall be entitled to 600 calories and/or
special nutrients on medical recommendation.
Local women’s SHGs and Mahila Mandals shall be
encouraged to supply supplementary food distributed in
Anganwadi Centres and private contractors shall be banned
from supplying the supplementary nutrition for ICDS.
37
2.
8.
The ICDS centres shall be used also for Immunization, Health
education, Pre-School education and Supplementary nutrition
to the beneficiaries.
9. Every ICDS Centre shall maintain the health registers such
as, weight of the Children, Medical check up of Child and
Mother and Immunization Cards.
10. You shall report to District Collector, District Project Officer
and Director of ICDS in case of grievances.
3.
4.
If a brother or sister lacks food and one of you
says, “go in peace,” and yet do not supply their
bodily needs, what is the good of that? Faith if it
has no works is dead.
-James 2/15-17
5.
6.
VII.6. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON NATIONAL MATERNITY BENEFIT
SCHEME (NMBS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28Nov. 2001, 22 Apr. 2004, 9 May 2005,
11 Nov. 2007)
1.
7.
8.
All pregnant women Below Poverty Line (BPL) shall be given
a one time payment of Rs. 500/- 8–12 weeks prior to delivery
for each birth irrespective of the age of women.
38
The Women’s group and SHGs shall identify the beneficiaries
of NMBS,which is also called as Janani Suraksha Yojana
(JSY), in their locality while the Gram sabha should appeal to
the authorities for the same.
The JSY shall integrate cash assistance with antenatal care
during the pregnancy period, institutional care during delivery
and immediate post-partum period in a health centre through
health worker.
Mothers shall be eligible to receive financial assistance of
Rs.1400 in rural area and Rs.1000 in urban areas, after
institutional delivery.
The amount shall be paid by Primary Health Centre (PHC) or
the local Sarpanch or panchayat president.
The payments shall be made in one installment and should
be given to mothers at the time of discharge from the hospital/
health centre.
The PHC or Government Hohspitals shall display the list of
NMBS beneficiaries along with the date of cash disbursement
on the display board.
Any grievances with regard to delay of this benefit shall be
complained to the District Collector through Right to Information
Act.
9.
All pregnant mothers shall be eligible to be registered, receive
three antenatal care, two post delivery visits and arranged
referral transport
10. The details of JSY Beneficiaries shall be displayed on all
Panchayat buildings, ICDS centres, public health centres
and block & district hospitals.
3. NOAPS pension shall be paid by the 7th day of each month
4. The list of beneficiaries of this scheme is to be displayed on
the village notice board.
5. You shall ensure that no eligible pensioner’s name is omitted
from the list.
6. You shall submit the application for NOAPS to the Panchayat
Office and to the Collector with a report from Panchayat.
7. You shall ensure no bribe is paid or collected for selection of
a NOAPS beneficiary.
8. With the use of RTI, you shall know how much budgetary
allocation for the NOAPS beneficiaries of your area and claim
the same for the elders.
9. You shall involve the Gram Sabha, Mahila Mandals and the
vigilance committee to enforce the Orders regarding NOAPS.
10. You shall appeal to the District Collector or equivalent authority
for redress of NOAPS related grievances.
Let us destroy this universe
if a single person
has no food to eat
-Bharathiyar, Tamil poet
VII.7. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON NATIONAL OLD AGE PENSION
SCHEME (NOAPS)
(Ref: SC Orders of 28 Nov. 2001, 27 Apr. 2004,18 Nov. 2004)
1.
2.
Any poor persons aged 65 years and above shall be eligible
for the National Old Age Pension Scheme.
The Central Government shall provide for Rs. 200/- per
pensioner per month. And each state is urged by the centre
to contribute an equal amount for the same.
“To know what is right and not to do it is
the worst cowardice.”
-Confucius
39
VII.8. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON NATIONAL FAMILY BENEFIT
SCHEME (NFBS)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
You shall approach the District Collector for redress of any
NFBS related grievances.
10. You shall demand the status of your NFBS application through
RTI sent to the district Collector.
You shall ensure that National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
provide for lump-sum cash assistance of Rs 10,000 to BPL
families on the death of a primary breadwinner, if he or she is
aged between 18 and 65 years.
A lump sum cash of Rs 5,000/- shall be given in case of
death by natural causes
Death certificate shall be obtained before applying for NFBS.
The entire sum of Rs. 10,000/- shall be paid to the surviving
head of the household within four weeks of the breadwinner’s
death through the local Sarpanch
You shall approach authorities through RTI in case the
amount has not arrived within four weeks to the family.
The payment shall be made in one payment and in full with no
bribe or commission to anyone.
The Gram Sabha, vigilance committee, Mahila Mandals shall
ensure the implementation of NFBS.
The school children shall be informed of the NFBS in view of
reaching this scheme to the society at large through their
parents.
“No peace without Human Rights”
VII.9. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON THE NATIONAL RURAL
EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (NREGS)
(Ref: The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
40
Every rural household with unskilled labourers shall get 100
days of work every year through NREGS.
Any person who is above the age of 18 and resides in rural
areas shall be entitled for a job
One third of the job shall be given to women on priority basis.
The Job-card with validity for five years shall be provided free
of cost within15 days of registering.
Unemployment allowance shall be given to the worker if he or
she does not get job in 15 days.
Every worker shall be entitled to the statutory minimum wage
applicable to agricultural labourers in the state.
7.
You shall demand that job be provided within 5 km radius.
The worker shall be entitled to 10% of minimum wage as
travel allowance if work is given outside 5 km radius.
8. The labourers shall be entitled to various facilities at the
worksite such as clean drinking water, child-care, shade for
periods of rest, and emergency health care.
9. If a person employed under NREGA dies or becomes
permanently disabled, the legal heirs of the deceased or the
disabled shall get Rs.25000 from the Central government
10. Through RTI you shall obtain all NREGS-related documents
like Muster rolls, budgetary allocation, minutes of the meeting
of the Grama Sabha, report of social audit etc.
3.
Regarding Mid Day Meal Scheme, you shall take your
grievances to the Education Officer, Block Development Officer
(BDO) and Collector
4. For ICDS you shall take your complaints through RTI to Chief
Development Programme Officer (CDPO), BDO and
Collector.
5. For Maternity Benefit scheme you shall take your complaints
to the Medical officer at the PHC and BDO.
6. The Gram Sabhas shall conduct a social audit into all Food/
Employment schemes
7. The authorities concerned shall investigate all misuse of Food
Schemes and take appropriate actions.
8. The District Collector/CEO and Chief Secretary of the State
shall record the complaint and give a written receipt for the
same and take necessary action.
9. You shall take up, alone or in group, your grievances to the
implementing officers of the food schemes.
10. You shall make use of RTI to know the working conditions of
the schemes, the list of beneficiaries under every scheme
and the funds allotted for the various schemes and
programmes in your area.
That government is best
that governs the least
VII.10. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON REDRESS MECHANISMS
1.
2.
You shall make complaint through Right to Information Act
(RTI) to the Taluka Supply Officer, Tahsildar and District
Collector for schemes concerning PDS, Antyodaya and
Annapoorna
You shall complain to the Tahsildar and District Collector for
complaints regarding National Family Benefit Scheme,
Pension Scheme (NOAPS) and NREGS
41
VIII. TEN COMMANDMENTS ON BUILDILNG PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT
1.
You shall Identify incidents of Human Rights Violations and
frame them into issues.
2.
You shall collect necessary and relevant information.
3.
You shall mobilize interested persons and groups to
collaborate with you in this issue.
4.
You shall network with individuals and organisations through
effective campaigns.
5.
You shall forge alliances with like minded organisations and
grass roots activists together with respective Government
Officials.
6.
You shall plan effective campaigns non-violently but
assertively in presenting the issues.
7.
You shall have a team of committed news reporters and
involve the media in all your undertakings.
8.
You shall build pressure on the legislature with the help of
Human Rights Activists and lawyers.
9.
You shall always establish contacts with bureaucrats and
elected Govt. Representatives through effective lobbying.
10. You shall monitor, and critically evaluate your activities
periodically and move to the next strategies.
“Even the weak become strong when
they are united.”
-Johann Friedrich Von Schiller
42
IX. WEBSITES ON RIGHT TO FOOD CAMPAIGN
For further and detailed information on the food schemes, research tools, primers, campaign material and data on coverage and
allocations you can visit the following websites:
1) Commissioners’ Office to the Supreme Court: www.sccommissioners.org
2) Right to Food Campaign: www.righttofoodindia.org
3) Human Rights Law Network:http://hrln.org
4) Government Websites: The Websites of the Departments of the Government of India also provide a rich source of information related
to the food schemes such as guidelines, details of allocations and expenditures and coverage. The concerned links are as follows:
i. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (For NMBS/JSY):http://mohfw.nic.in/dofw%20website janani_suraksha_yojana.htm
ii. Ministry of Rural Development (For NREGA):http://nrega.nic.in/
iii. Ministry of Rural Development (For NSAP): http://www.drd.nic.in/
iv. Ministry of Women & Child Development (For ICDS): http://www.wcd.nic.in/
v. Ministry of Human Resource Development (For MDMS): http://education.nic.in/Elementary/elementary.asp
vi. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (For TPDS): http://www.fcamin.nic.in/dfpd_html/index.asp
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter” `
– Martin Luther King
43
X. CONTACTS OF RTF NATIONAL AND STATE ADVISORS
CHHATISGARH:Mr. Sameer Garg, 07771-244105,
09425583395, koriya@gmail.com
NATIONAL
1. Office of the Supreme Court Commissioners
B-102, First Floor, Sarvodaya Enclave,New Delhi- 110017
Tel: 011-26851 335/ 339
Eml: commissioners@vsnl.net
www.supremecourtcommissioners.org
NEW DELHI:1.Dr. Vandana Prasad, 09891552425,
chaukhat@yahoo.com
2. Mr. J.P Mishra, 09899315900, jp.misra@gtz.de
GUJARAT: 1. Gagan Sethi, gssethi@gmail.com
2. Secretariat of the Right to Food Campaign:
5 A Jungi House, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi 110049.
Tel: 011-4350 1335, 26499563
www.righttofoodindia.org
Eml: righttofood@gmail.com
2. Prof Indira Hirway, indira.hirway@cfda.ac.in, 079-26844240
HIMACHAL PRADESH : Ms. C.P. Sujaya,
cpsujaya@sancharnet.in, 0177-2622219 / 2621860
JHARKHAND:
1. Shri M Kodandaram,
kodandram2003@yahoo.com,040-27175353/ 9848387001
2. Prof. Rama S. Melkote, hyd2_melkote@sancharnet.in
Shri Balram, balramjo@gmail.com,09934320657
ANDHRA PRADESH:
KARNATAKA: S.R. Hiremath, sr_hiremath@rediffmail.com,
0836-2777430 / 09448916010
Dr. Mihir Shah, 07271-275757,
275550,samprag@sify.com
MADHYA PRADESH:
ASSAM: 1.Dr Sunil Kaul, sunil.theant@gmail.com, 09435122042
2. Ms Anju Talukdar, anjutalukdar@yahoo.com, 09864034505
MAHARASHTRA: Mr. Josantony Joseph,022-28958313
josantonyjoseph@gmail.com
Mr. Rupesh, koshish_pt@yahoo.com,
09431021035(M) 0612-2207912(O)
BIHAR:
44
MEGHALAYA: Mr. Tarun Bhartiya, 09863061770 / 09863097754
thefreedomproject@rediffmail.com
XI. RIGHT TO FOOD NETWORK OF CBCI
COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE, PEACE AND
DEVELOPMENT(NCJPD)
NAGALAND: Chingmak
Chang, phutoc@yahoo.co.in
03861-220127(O), 220319(R), 09436007263 (M)
1. Rev. Fr. Nithiya OFM. Cap, National RTF director,
NCJPD,CBCI Centre, 1 Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110 001
Cell : 09868511018, Office : 011 – 23366127
Eml : rtfcampaign@gmail.com / nithiyas@gmail.com
ORISSA: 1.Ms.
Vidya Das, 09437960401
vjatkspr@gmail.com, agragamee@satyam.net.in
2. Mr. Rajkishor Mishra, rajkishormishra@gmail.com
09437047270
2. Sr. Mariola B.S., National RTF Coordinator,
CBCI Centre, 1, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110 001
Telephone : 09968825475, Office : 011 – 23366127
Eml : rtfcampaign@gmail.com/ mariolabs@gmail.com
RAJASTHAN: 1. Ashok khandelwal, ashokko@rediffmail.com
09968249247
2. Dr. Ginny shrivastav, 0294-2451348(Office),
02942450212(R), 09414164512(M), ginnyshri@sancharnet.in
3. Kerala: Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Kerala Labour Movement,
Amulia Street, Banerji Road,Cochin – 682018, Kearla.
Cell : 09446926418
Off: 0484- 2395646 Eml: jaivay@yahoo.com
TAMIL NADU: Dr. V. Suresh, rights@vsnl.net, 044-2392459 /
25392464
UTTAR PRADESH: 1.Ms. Arundhati Dhuru,
arundhatidhuru@yahoo.co.uk, 09415022772
2. Dr. Pradeep Bhargava, pradeep@gbpssi.org.in,
0532-2569214(O)
4. Maharashtra: Fr. James Mascarenhas, S.J.
Shirpur Vishwa Mandal Sevashram,
Shirpur, Dhule Dt, 425 405 Maharashtra.
Cell: 09422485455// 02563- 255561
Eml: jamesm.shirpur@gmail.com
WEST BENGAL: Ms. Anuradha Talwar, Mr. Subhendu Dasgupta
jsk@cal2.vsnl.net.in
45
5. Orissa: Fr. Mathew Puthiyadom,
SWAD, Social Service Centre,Convent School Road,
Rayagada – 765 001,Orissa.
Cell: 09437204370, Off: 06856-222386/225690
Eml: walkingwiththepoor@gmail.com
9. Karnataka: Sr. Dulcine, Roshni Social Action Centre,
Opp. New court, Hubli Road, Hangal – 581 104,
Haveri Dist; Karnataka Cell: 094496 06258,
Off: 08379- 262996, Eml: roshnisac@yahoo.co.in
10. Gujarat – Ahmedabad: Fr. Cedric Prakash,
The Gujarat Educational Board Society,
Newman Hall, Post box no 4002, Ahemdabad – 380009,
Gujarat.Cell : 098240 34536, Eml: sjprashant@gmail.com
6. Rajasthan: Sr. Aurora,
St. Clare Seva Sadan, Kaithoon, Bhimpura Road,
Kota – 325001, Rajasthan
Cell: 09414520583, Off: 0744-2844266,
Eml: auroramsa@gmail.com
11. Gujarat - Varna: Sr. Brita Fernandes,
Bhal Rashmi, Varna Road, Varna Post, Dholka Taluka,
Ahemdabad – 382265, Gujarat. Cell : 09825352577
Eml: britafrens@yahoo.co.in / bfferns287@gmail.com
7. Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam :Sr. Nirmala,
St. Ann’s Health Centre, Arilova Post,
Visakhapatnam – 530040, AP
Cell: 094410 90380, Off- 0891 – 2528068, 271056,
Eml: nirmala_sas@yahoo.co.in,vmssvsp@rediffmail.com
12. Tamil Nadu: Fr. Sathian ofm cap, Director– Udhayam,
35 Williams Road,Trichy – 620001
Cell: 09443162299, Off: 0431-2414071
Email: frsathian@yahoo.com/ sathian7@gmail.com
8. Andhra Pradesh - Nellore: Sr. Paneerselvam,
Immaculate Convent, Assisi Bhavan, Sunnapubatti,
K.K. Gunta, Dharmavaram, Nellore – 524 142, AP
Cell: 09704185526, Eml: pannerfihm@gmail.com
13. Persons with Disabilities(PWD) Network: Mr. John
Aruldass A., Servites of the Poor, 2/23 PP Nagar,
1st Street, Arumbakkam, Chennai – 600 106 Tamilnadu
Cell: 094449 15619 Eml:right2foodcampaign@gmail.com
46
19. DMI – Nationwide Network:
Sr. Viji & Tresa/ Sr. Baby / Sr. Fatima, Society of DMI,
Amala Bhavan, Rudra Road, St. Thomas Mount,
Chennai – 600 016, Cell : 0944506886/7,
Office : 044 – 22342822. Eml: dmimission@gmail.com
14. West Bengal: Sr. Subeshna Thapa SJC,Asha Deep,
Cluny Provinciliate, 8th Mile, Kalimpong, P.O. Kalimpong,
Darjeeling dist.., West Bengal – 734301. Cell: 09932874884,
Off : 03552 – 255912 / 256135 Eml: subeshna@yahoo.co.in
15. Pudhucherry - NGOs network: Sr. Lambert Lily, FIHM,
Immaculate Generalate,St. Therasa Street,
Pondicherry – 605 001
Cell : 09487984653, Off: 0413 – 2334832
Eml : idhaya_socio@yahoo.com /lambert.rose@gmail.com
Any intelligent fool can make things
bigger, more complex, and more violent.
It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of
courage — to move in the opposite
direction.
Albert Einstein
16. Haryana: Sr. Grace D’Souza B.S.,
Bethany Social Service Centre, Faridabad,Haryana
Tel: 0129-2416315, Eml: gracydsz@yahoo.com
17. Association of Franciscans Families & NGOs Network:
Fr. Bernard Shaw – Udhayam, 35 williams Road,
Trichy – 620001. Cell: 09360080888,Off: 0431-2414071
Eml: frsathian@yahoo.com/ sathian7@gmail.com
18. CAP Foundation (NGOs Ntework): Fr. Mathew,
Director, The Friary, Kotagiri - 643 217,Tamil Nadu
Cell: 09486316317 Off: 04266 - 271781
Eml: mathewaj@yahoo.com
47
ZERO HUNGER PROGRAMME
To feed the vulnerable sections, in a sustained manner on long-term basis, Devinder Sharma, a food & trade policy analyst, proposes
5 points.
1. Revive agriculture on the lines of sustainability, by restoring soil health and the natural resource base by bringing in low-externalinput, sustainable farming practices.
2. Provide farmers with a fixed monthly income, incorporating the minimum support price. For the poorest of the poor households
receiving micro-finance, ensure that the interest rate is reduced from the existing 18-48 per cent to a maximum of 4 per cent.
3. Disband PDS except for food entitlements for the Antyodaya families. Replace this with Foodgrain Banks at the village level on the
lines of the traditional goal system of food security still existing in Bihar and east India.
4. Export of foodgrains should be allowed only when the country’s total population is adequately fed.
5. International trade, including Free Trade Agreements, should not be allowed to play havoc with domestic agriculture and food
security.
All of this is possible, provided the political leadership demonstrates a vision to redesign agriculture, food processing, rural development,
international trade and food security in an integrated manner.
If each of the developing regions continues to reduce hunger at the current pace, only South
America and the Caribbean will reach the Millennium Development Goal target of cutting the
proportion of hungry people by half”
- Jeaques Diouf
48

RIGHT TO FOOD CAMPAIGN Trainer’s Manual Editors Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap

Transcription

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