Demand to amend food security Act to fight India-wide starvation deaths

By A Representative
The Right to Food Campaign (RFC) has said that the recent spate of deaths shows the National Food Security Act (NFSA) is "limited in its vision and implementation", insisting, "It is currently not even able to ensure the minimum; which is that a person does not go hungry due to lack of food."
Releasing its demands before political parties, which will release their manifestos for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, RFC said, "The Act needs to be amended to expand its scope and also ensure that it prevents hunger (by including a section on starvation protocol) and also contributes to better nutrition status of the people (by including pulses, oil in PDS, eggs in schools and anganwadis etc.)."
Pointing out that the "elections are coming at the backdrop of regular reports of starvation deaths from different parts of the country" and "farmers protests", RFC said, there is a need recognise that the "current situation of hunger is a reflection of rural distress arising out of the agrarian crisis, poor employment and livelihood opportunities."
Noting that there is "failure of various social security mechanisms and the overall macroeconomic situation", one reason why it is inaisitng on "changes required in the NFSA framework", RFC said, "Currently, the NFSA is supposed to provide 67% of the population in the country with subsidised foodgrains (cereals)."

"However, it is seen that a number of deserving households (or some members of household) are excluded in many states due to identification issues as well as the caps placed on the number of ration cards (based on 2011 Census data)", it added. "In order to avoid these exclusion errors, the PDS benefits must be made universal for all residents".

Bihar’s land at ₹1 per acre for Adani sparks outrage, NAPM calls it crony capitalism

By A Representative The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has strongly condemned the Bihar government’s decision to lease 1,050 acres of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district, to Adani Power for a 2,400 MW coal-based thermal power project.

"Forcible" tribal eviction: Central India village draws international attention following NGO representation

Government building in Amravan By A Representative A small village of about 200 in Central India, a majority of whose residents is dependent on mining as the main source of livelihood, is all set to become a major focal point, nationally and internationally. Reason: Allegations of refusal of the Madhya Pradesh government to protect them from forcible eviction from their land.

An open letter to PM: Before you forgive, ask for forgiveness

By Martin Macwan* Respected Prime Minister, The first step toward true forgiveness is asking for it, and it is out of respect for the Constitution that the title "Honourable" is used for the office of the Prime Minister. Every abuse is "dirty" because almost all abuse is uttered with the conscious intention of publicly humiliating a woman, much like the disrobing of Draupadi in the royal court. This includes remarks like "Jersey Cow," used at public meetings on the Gujarati land of Gandhi and Sardar; comparing a female MP's laughter in India's Parliament to "Surpanakha's laugh"; and using a vulgar address like "Didi O Didi" for a Chief Minister who holds a respected position in a democracy—along with every other such remark. In the 79-year history of independent India, you are better placed than anyone to say which Prime Minister has used such language against women.

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