Terming the Food Security Act 2012 of the Dr Raman Singh led BJP Government in Chhattisgarh a flop show, the Congress on Sunday said that the Act was only on paper, whereas, Raman Singh had given advice to the Central Government to implement it in the country.
Congress MlA Mohammad Akbar, at a press conference held here on Sunday, gave detailed information about the Food Security Bill of the Central Government. Comparing the Food Security Bill of Chhattisgarh with that of the Central Government, Akbar said that the Bill of the UPA Government was the best, in accordance with the population and resources. With the Centre’s Food Security Bill, 67 per cent population i.e. about 80 crore people would be benefited, he added.
Akbar said, according to the provisions of the State Food Security Bill 2013, the eligibility criterion and the ration material would be given to whom, was implemented on May 1, 2013 only, but the Raman Government was only trumpeting about the bill. Even the BJP Government did not allot the food material so far, as per provisions of the State Food Security Bill.
Making a scathing attack on Dr Raman Singh, Akbar said, though he could not even implement the Act in Chhattisgarh, but gave advice to the Central Government to adopt and implement the BJP Government’s Food Security Bill in the country. Akbar alleged that there were various shortcomings in the Act prepared by the BJP Government for a population of 2.55 crore.
Citing an example, Akbar said that in the Act, there is provision to provide free midday meal and nutritious food to the children of the age group of 6 to 14 years studying up to eighth class in the Government and Government aided schools, except holidays. However, there is no provision for midday meal or nutritious food to them on holidays.
Akbar alleged that a large section of the State population has been deprived of the benefits of the Food Security Act. As per the provisions of the Act, ration card of Antyodaya families, priority families and specially weaker social groups has not been issued to those who have concrete building measuring more than 1000 square feet and those who are paying property tax to the local bodies as per the prevailing rules.
The State Government, in order to maintain arrangements, had said that internal complaint system had been including in the Act, but there was no mention of the action to be taken under it, he added.
Akbar accused the chief Minister Dr Raman Singh of swindling the people of the State during his dispensation. He alleged that the State Government wasted Rs 1,000 crore in the name of biodiesel, but did not get a single litre to the people of the State.