The Hindu : `Jaipur declaration' calls for food security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 21, 2002

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Other States - Rajasthan

`Jaipur declaration' calls for food security

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR NOV. 20. Experts and planners who deliberated on the social security here for the past two days have expressed the opinion that this was the most "opportune'' time to declare and implement the "right to food'' in the country when the godowns are burgeoning with foodstocks.

The twin themes of food security and employment guarantee dominated the deliberations in the context of looming starvation deaths and rampant joblessness resulting from failure of monsoon. As anticipated, the seminar overwhelmingly voted for introduction of the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) as it exists in Maharashtra, in all the States.

The draft of a document listing the priorities on the social security sector titled "Jaipur Declaration'' was approved at the concluding session of the two day national seminar in the presence of the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot. The Declaration listed social security for the old, disabled and handicapped, food and nutritional security, access to productive employment, basic health care and basic meaningful education as the "undeniable rights'' to citizens.

Mr.Gehlot who remained at the seminar venue on both the days, in his concluding remarks said that the debate on the social security would be carried forward in the coming days. He would be writing to the Prime Minister, the Union Ministers, the members of the Planning Commission and the Chief Ministers of States on the issues, he said. "I am convinced that good governance is not possible without providing social security to the citizens,'' Mr.Gehlot said.

The gathering included experts like Vidya Rao, Ramgopal Agarwala, Mahendra Dev, Indira Hirve, Nirmala Murti, Manu Kulkarni, V.S.Vyas, noted Gandhian Subba Rao and the Magsaysay Award Winner, Aruna Roy. Acknowledging the right to food as a fundamental right, they sought food security and to ensure this, strengthening of the PDS and introduction of mid-day meal for children all over the country.

Strengthening of the PDS was an important measure to give access to food. The system of mid-day meal for children should continue and be extended. In order to ensure availability of food grains to the people in the poorer areas, the States and the Central Government should keep certain stock of food grains at all village panchayats.

Ms.Roy and another activist from Rajasthan's tribal area, Ginni Srivastava, talked about communal harmony as a pre-requisite for social security. With Gujarat like situation any kind of social security measure would not ensure well being, they pointed out. Ms.Roy also suggested drafting of a drought policy and imposition of drought cess on those who can pay.

The Declaration said that the gathering was convinced that a large number of people who ought to benefit from the existing programmes related to social welfare continued to suffer. This was more with the people living in tribal and rural areas, women, physically challenged, spastics, aged and vulnerable groups. Effective legislation for stopping atrocities on women and weaker sections and for banning dowry system, untouchability, child marriages and similar social evils were needed.

The Declaration also talked about the problem of under employment in agriculture, small industries, handicraft, trade and in the household. It mentioned those "unemployable'' who needs to be equipped with necessary skills. Basic health and meaningful education also were referred to as vital areas of social security.

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`Jaipur declaration' calls for food security