leaders of political parties and activists attending a political consultation organised by the Odisha Shramajeebee Manch (OSM) here on Wednesday stressed on implementation of a strong ‘Special Food and Nutritional Security Act’ in the State.
In the consultation, OSM member Anjan Pradhan said the Centre has introduced the National Food Security Act with 5 kg of food grain to each individual which is neither sufficient to a human being nor any nutrition value in this food. “The infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the backward districts like Koraput, Malkangiri and Kandhamal are in an alarming stage due to lack of availability of adequate nutritional food,” he added.
The political leaders including former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, Congress spokesperson Sulochana Das, BJD leader Mohan Jena, Radhakant Sethy from CPI (Ml) liberation, Prashant Paikaray from CPI, Suresh Panigrahy of CPI (M), Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera and senior journalist Rabi Das advocated for special food and nutrition securities in the Act.
The consultation highlighted the issues of food and nutrition and urged the State Government to introduce a strong and independent State Food Security Act. The consultation also emphasised on employment guarantee for people of the State.
Notably, members of the Manch had recently staged a massive dharna at the lower PMG here demanding implementation of a strong ‘Special Food and Nutritional Security Act’ in the State. The Manch working in 10 districts have been organising programmes, demonstrations, advocacy with the State Government since 2012.