Right To Food Initiative
Right to food is a basic human right. Yet, reports of starvation deaths and widespread hunger are common in India. In 2013, a Rapid Survey on Children (RSOC) commissioned by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development found 29.4% of children (aged less than 3 years) to be underweight, while 15% were found wasted and 38.7% stunted. Particularly hard hit are backward classes, with the highest levels of malnutrition being recorded among these sections. According to NFHS-3 data (2005-2006), 54% of SC/ST children were found stunted as against 41% among upper caste children. Among OBCs, 49% children were stunted.
This situation is especially unacceptable because India is a surplus producer of grain. This grain, however, is often exported or sold on the open market. The poor often cannot afford to buy grains at market rates and hence, it is imperative that the public distribution system which provides grain very cheaply is strengthened.
To meet this situation of widespread and chronic hunger the government of India has initiated several programmes such as
- The Mid-Day Meal Scheme for children in schools
- The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for children in the age group between 0 and 6 years, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating women
- The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) to provide employment, particularly in rural areas
- A pension scheme and a free grain supply scheme for destitute persons above the age of 65 years