The Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhiyan (OKAA) on Wednesday alleged that the National Food Security Ordinance, which was recently cleared by the Union Cabinet and received the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee, is extremely inadequate and makes a mockery of food security.
Speaking at a State-level consultation on ‘National Food Security Ordinance-2013’, OKAA convenor Bidyut Mohanty said, “The Union Cabinet cleared the ordinance to implement the Food Security Bill without waiting for Parliament's monsoon session that is about days away. It provides extremely limited food entitlements, leaving the question of nutritional security out of the purview of the Government's accountability.”
Alleging that the Union Government has no proper plan with regard to Food Security Bill, Mohanty alleged that there are several loopholes in the Ordinance.
Under the Food Security Bill, while most of the families would qualify for subsidised food grains, there is no provision to provide food or other assistance to old people, basically those suffering from starvation, said Sitakant Sahoo, a social activist from Boudh.
Nearly 40 members from across the State participated in the event and unanimously agreed for amendments in the Food Security Ordinance. Earlier to this consultation, four regional consultations were held in Koraput, Sambalpur, Balangir and Puri to develop strategies at the ground level to address the issue, said Mohanty.