In order to press their demand for immediate implementation of National Food Security Act of 2013 in the State, Right to Food (RTF) campaign — launched by social activists in Jharkhand — will organize ‘Anda Abhiyan’ (Egg campaign) to ensure nutritious food among the children of the State. Children across the State will be offered egg alongwith mid-day meals in their schools as well as other locations on Friday with the help of various civil society organizations across the State at the district and block levels.
“Under this campaign, children across the State will be offered an egg with the mid-day meals in their schools on July 4 to create awareness about the importance of nutrition and the Government takes initiatives to implement the act which has so far remained on papers only,” said State Advisor of the Commissioner of Supreme Court Balram.
According to Balram, the Act is supposed to be activated across the country by 5 July 2014. “Jharkhand however, seem to be doing its best to miss the deadline but the campaign is determined to challenge the Government’s apathy for which the ‘Anda Abhiyan’ is only a starter,” he said.
‘Anda Abhyan’ has also been demanding more funds for midday meals so that nutritious items such as eggs and fruits can also be given in the meal every day.
“Anda Abhiyan on 4 July is only a part of the series of agitations aimed at full-fledged implementation of the National Food Security Act — 2013 in Jharkhand which ensures not only daily nutritious meal for every child, but there is also maternity entitlement of Rs 6,000 for every pregnant women,” he added.
The event is being supported by renowned Social Economist Jean Dreze. According to the act, about 87 per cent of the rural households in the state are to be covered under the Public Distribution System. The campaign taking an initiative of its own has already started contacting local schools demanding them to provide eggs to the children be provided from 4 July onwards, starting from that day itself.
Even though the State Government has announced an additional package of Rs 192 crore to provide eggs to the menu of mid day meal three days in a week which looks like an eyewash only, added Balram. “It’s high time some positive steps be taken to ensure right to food to the children of the State,” said another member of the campaign Ankita. Earlier also some initiatives were taken to implement the scheme to add an egg with the mid day meal menu, but nothing could be done in this regard, she said.
Food Security Act was passed by the Parliament in the year 2013, which was to be implemented by the state governments within a year but even after one year no any step has been taken by the State in this regard. According to the campaign members, it has been found during studies that when egg was served along with the mid day meal on Fridays, comparatively good attendance were registered in the schools on those days.