Seeking amendments in the proposed Food Security legislation, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said more provisions like nutrition security should also be added to it to make it a complete package.
“My suggestion is that some provisions should be added. It should not be confined to food security only and should be linked to nutrition security also. like iodised salt, grams and pulses and edible oil can also be added in it so that it would be a total package,” Singh told at a seminar here. Differing with the Centre over the quantity of foodgrains and the methodology for implementing the scheme, he said, “While the Centre says a person should be considered as a unit we say not a person but the entire family should be considered as a unit and each family should get 35 kg rice or wheat.”
The Centre’s Ordinance ensures supply of only 5 kg foodgrain per person, while Chhattisgarh Food and Nutrition Security Act, passed by State Assembly in December last year, gives right to avail supply of 35 kg of foodgrains to each eligible family. It may be okay in Delhi but 5 kg rice for a person in Dantewada is not sufficient, he said. However, CM said he is opposed to the cash transfer scheme. He also said that empty stomach does not require iron tablets. “Centre should ensure nutrition security. We are doing it in Chhattisgarh and it should be added in Bill.”