Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

“Draft Food Security Bill should be rid of serious flaws’

CUDDALORE: The draft Food Security Bill has some serious flaws that ought to be corrected to meet the nutritional requirements of the citizens, according to V.Suresh, adviser to the Supreme Court Commission on food security.

He told The Hindu here on Saturday that the Central policy note on food security seemed to be purely a bureaucratic exercise that overlooked the real nutritional status of the people.

Food security was a fundamental right of the citizens and therefore it should not be left to the bureaucracy alone to frame the policy but should encompass all stakeholders.

The policy note looked at food security and agriculture security as unconnected, without realising the fact that these were two aspects of the same issue.

Without paying adequate attention to agriculture development, food security could not the achieved.

Food security could not be viewed in isolation because it is closely linked with rights to water and health.

But it is a matter of concern that water and health are being increasingly privatised thereby excluding a vast majority of the economically weaker sections.

If the health of the people are to be ensured, the policy should get rid of these flaws, Mr. Suresh said.

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