Food Insecurity Act

 It remains a matter of concern that some practises that have been going for many years, even if they may be wrong legally and morally, have become a convention and consequently, are gradually accepted as the norms. There are several instances with regard to the practices within the government and one among many pertained to the allotment of foodgrains from the government of India for Mid Day Meal Scheme(MDMS) as highlighted recently through the media by Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF).Under MDMS every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII at government primary schools or government aided schools is to be provided free meal daily during academic sessions. The central and state governments share the cost of the Midday Meal Scheme on a 60:40 basis. The central government provides grains for food and transportation while the rest borne by the states.The scheme has been given legal backing under theNational Food Security Act, 2013 and therefore, holds anybody accountable for any violation of the scheme. NPRAAF has only restated what has been written earlier regarding various irregularities in MDMS. The issue that NPRAAF has raised was about irregularities in the entire receipt and distribution system of food grains. In short, what NPRAAF claimed is that the state used to receive excess quantity of foodgrains, sometimes 4000 MT above the allocations. As per the report, while the total number of enrolment in various government primary and ME schools was put at 1,06,298 the figure was inflated to 1,97,296 by those involved in allegedly preparing the demands. This leads to conclusion that the excess enrolment was to get ‘excess foodgrains’ and how this could take place is also interesting. This could perhaps be explained by the practise where the process of placing the demand for foodgrains, as per the statement,rested with the certain officials and if it was in connivance with the carriage contractor(s) needs to be ascertained. NPRAAF also alleged that over and above the ‘excess’ quantity received more often than not, the ‘supply link’ involved certain officials who release the foodgrains and also officials from the agencies receiving it etc.The third aspect allegedly involves the diversion of foodgrains to the open market by the carriage contractor(s) where it is sold and profit shared with officials. According to NPRAAF the shortage has left no option but to not provide MDMS in schools except once in a month or quarterly. The diversion is not on the ‘excess quantity’ received but from that which are supposed to be transported to various institutions for MDMS. To add icing to the entire deal, the transporter again is paid carriage costs as per contract with the government for lifting the foodgrains from the FCI godown to various parts of Nagaland. Whenever there is any scheme involving foodgrains, the story is similar. While there is a need to probe this alleged scam, there is also a need to ascertain why government primary and ME schools do not provide MDMS as prescribed. Probably when MDMS are not being provided and when there are no complaints then it becomes a convention which is then accepted as a norm.