The Global Hunger Index (GHI) by International Food Policy Research Institute ranked India at 63 out of 76 countries in 2014. Indian’s hunger status is classified as serious. The GHI combines thee indicators, such as under nourishment, child underweight and child mortality. The human development report by the UNDP for 2014 also ranked India at 137 out of 187 countries.
Odisha has 32 per cent of people below poverty line who are unable to spend more than Rs 841 in urban area and Rs 695 in rural area. The percentage of people below poverty line is extremely higher in case of Scheduled Tribes in Odisha. The STs constitute 64 per cent and the SCs 42 per cent of the State’s population. Along with Odisha, the poverty level is very high in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The share of food expenditure in total expenditure declines in Odisha. The average monthly per capita consumer expenditure for urban area in Odisha is one of the lowest in India next to Bihar and it is highest in Kerala. Increasing food price has been impacting over the poor excessively as their wage and sources of income have not been expanding in the same proportion due to lack of opportunities created out of State investment.
Odisha having highest percentage of BPl population of the country with huge distress migration, existence of chronic poverty and hunger among historically marginalized groups, need subsidized food programme the most to counter the situation in order to ensure food security of the poor. The State has been a witness to hunger death in many parts in the absence of an integrated, inclusive food security programme for different economic groups.
As per the Government of India sources, during last 20 years, the food subsidy of the Central Government has increased by about 25 times from Rs 2,850 crore in 1991 to Rs 75,000 crore in 2012. Many States have developed their specific programmes to address the issues of food security.
Though late, a recent decision of the Government of Odisha is most welcome. It will be immensely helpful for the urban poor struggling to get the basic minimum. The State Government has decided to provide a meal of plain rice with Dalama at Rs 5 in urban areas under a scheme named ‘Aahar’. The scheme will start from April in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Brahmapur and Rourkela in bus stops, railway stations, collectorates, hospitals and other crowded places. In order to maintain quality, the local food inspectors will inspect the eateries. The Government has targeted to reach to 25,000 people every day. The Government will mobilize support of corporate houses to run the scheme. The State Government has already been providing food such as rice and wheat to the BPl and the APl families, subsidies, nutrition to children of 0 to 6 years and pregnant and lactating mothers through ICDS Angawanwadi centers, mid day meal to students of Government run primary and upper primary schools, emergency feeding programme in KBK districts to ensure at least one cooked meal for two lakh old and destitute people. A few months back, the Government introduced the National Food Security Act, 2013 in the entire State in a phased manner to be covered by July, 2015. The scheme ensures 5kg food grains per person in a month for priority household.
States such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala have gone much ahead in implementing subsidized food programmes such as mid day meal for all students up to higher secondary level. Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu provide Idli at rate of Re 1, a plate of Samber rice at Rs 5 and curd rice at Rs 3. The scheme was introduced in 2013. The quality of food and drinking water at the eateries is well maintained. The canteens are managed by women self help groups and municipal corporations. The women employees in the canteen get Rs 300 per day as salary along with other benefits.
In the State Budget 2013-14, Kerala introduced TRUPTI fare price restaurant to ensure food at reasonable price of Rs 20 at eateries in all Taluk headquarters. It is managed by women and the Government provides yearly grant of Rs 5 lakh for rent, electricity, water and a managerial subsidy of Rs 50,000 along with food, vegetables, fish and gas connection at subsidized rates
Tamil Nadu has been pioneer in mid day meal since 1963 and credit goes to the then Chief Minister Kamaraj Nadar who introduced this concept and the idea has been replicated by other States to combat malnutrition and boost primary education among children of poor communities. The wage provided to the employees, quality of food and coverage has been much better than other States. But in case of Odisha the quality of food, wage to the employees and coverage is very poor which need improvement. For example, the mid day meal in Tamil Nadu includes eggs in the everyday diet of the students up to higher secondary level and the cooks get a good salary with social security benefits but in Odisha eggs are given only once in a week and the cook gets a paltry salary of Rs 1,000 only. The State investment is very less in comparison to others to ensure quality food and security of the employees.
The urban poor lead a very miserable life in the cities without proper house, drinking water and sanitation facilities. It has been observed that preparing food at home has been a struggle with the daily wage workers.
The rural poor are also visiting urban locations specially district headquarters, hospitals and other places for a number of reasons. The eateries may be helpful to the poor in getting lunch at a subsidised rate. This scheme may relax the burden of urban wage earners to some extent as well.
(The writer is a researcher and rights activist who can be mailed at manasbbsr15@gmail.com)