Food Security Bill needs massive investment

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that massive investments are needed in the agriculture sector to meet the requirements for implementation of the Food Security Bill. The Minister said this while addressing the two day conference of Food and Agriculture Ministers of States and Union Territories that began in New Delhi today. Mr. Mukherjee said the challenge of providing food to all can be achieved through investments in agriculture, enhancement of production and application of technology. Mr. Mukherjee said the expectations of the people can only be met by an efficient political and administrative system.

Mr. Mukherjee lauded the flagship programme MGNREGA saying that it has created an irreversibile benchmark in the rural areas.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar urged to address the critical issues in the sectors of production, procurement, storage, movement and distribution immediately so that the system is ready to efficiently implement the requirement of the food Security Act when enacted. He said it is the largest social sector programme in the world and a major expansion of the public distribution system involving procurement, transportation, storage and distribution is being undertaken.

Mr. Pawar said the farmers have overwhelmingly reciprocated to the government policy of providing remunerative MSP to the farmers. Mr. Pawar said that the country have already achieved the target of additional 20 million tons of food grains under National Food Security Mission and poised to produce a record of 250 million tons of food grains this year and also crossed the 100 million mark in rice production. He also cautioned to be vigilant on the price being paid to farmers by private trade.

The Minister urged on all stake holders to ensure the successful roll out of the second Green Revolution and the Food Security Act. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public distribution, K.V Thomas called for speedy modernisation of the PDS to check pilferage and to ensure payment to farmers through cheque or account transfer. He said, two crore bogus ration cards have been eliminated. He said 16 to 18 rupees subsidy on grains is being provided in every kilogram. Storage capacity addition is being increased at the village level. He said the MSP have been increased twice in the past five years. Mr. Thomas insisted that the subsidy 63 thousand crore subsidy should reach the poor.