M A I N   N E W S

Roll out food scheme quickly: Sonia to CMs
Cong chief meets 13 party chief ministers
Haryana, Delhi ready for August 20 launch
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Get cracking, CMs told Sonia Gandhi held a meeting with 13 Congress CMs at her residence in New Delhi on Saturday She urged them to roll out the food security provisions in their respective states as soon as possible Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit committed themselves to rolling out the legal entitlements from August 20, former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary Most others said they were working towards the August 20 deadline, but the implementation would depend on identification of beneficiaries Who gets what Pregnant and lactating women: Nutritious food from local “anganwaris” in the form of cooked meal or take-home ration and Rs 6,000 (in instalments) Children 6 months to 3 yrs: Free take-home ration Children aged 3 to 6 yrs: Morning snacks and cooked meal Malnourished children (6 months to 6 yrs): Take-home ration Govt school students up to Class VIII: Midday meal during school hours

New Delhi, July 13
Faced with elections in five states followed by the General Election next year, the Congress today prepared ground to launch its ambitious “Right to Food” ordinance with party president Sonia Gandhi urging all Congress Chief Ministers to roll out the provision as soon as possible.

Although she set no deadlines at a meeting with 13 Congress CMs at her residence today, Sonia sent out a clear message of urgency about the ordinance’s implementation describing it as “a landmark entitlement”, one that will “serve as a bulwark against hunger”. Party’s communication head Ajay Makan said, “The scheme will ensure food for children from the time they are in the mother’s womb.”

Out of the 14 Congress-ruled states, CMs of 13 were present (except the Uttarakhand CM who could not come on account of flood tragedy in the state), indicating the urgency the party attached to immediate rolling out of the scheme.

PM Manmohan Singh and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi along with AICC treasurer and political secretary Ahmad Patel were also present at the meeting where Food Minister KV Thomas gave a presentation on the ordinance aimed at providing subsidised foodgrain to 82 crore persons (67% of the population). Once implemented, the law will push UPA’s food subsidy bill to Rs 1.27 lakh crore — five times the Rs 25,141-crore figure for 2004.

While Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit committed themselves to rolling out the legal entitlements from August 20, former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary, other states promised “speedy implementation”. Most are learnt to be working towards the August 20 deadline, subject to the identification of beneficiaries.

Makan said, “CMs have said that provisions of the ordinance would be implemented very soon. Delhi and Haryana committed to a launch from August 20.”

Asked if Sonia gave directions to the CMs regarding dates, Makan said, “She told them of the significance of the ordinance which will specially help women and children get nutritious food.”

Though timed with elections, the Congress insisted that the scheme had nothing to do with electoral considerations. Its haste though was understandable, considering the model code of conduct would come into force once the Election Commission announces poll schedules for Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

But Makan argued, “The Food Security Bill is part of our 2009 manifesto. It’s a continuation of UPA’s social welfare initiatives like farm loan waiver, RTI etc.”