UPDATE 8 

Dear friends, 

Public initiatives for the right to food are rapidly gaining further momentum. The issue has been in the news on a regular basis in recent weeks, particularly in connection with reports of starvation deaths in Baran (Rajasthan) and Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh). Plenty of activities are expected during the next few weeks, including an innovative “social audit” in Rajasthan on 4 December (see Item 1 below), AIDWA-led agitations on Human Rights Day (10 December), public meetings at the Asia Social Forum in Hyderabad (2-7 January), the public hearing on “Living with Hunger” in Delhi on 10 January, and continuing campaigns in different states on different aspects of the right to food and the right to work. We are trying our best to keep up with these developments, and to post as much information as possible on the campaign website (http://righttofood.tripod). If all goes well, the website will soon feature a Hindi section. 

Meanwhile, today’s headlines: 



1. SOCIAL AUDIT ON FOOD SECURITY (KELWARA, RAJASTHAN, 4 DEC) 

2. MADHYA PRADESH: RIGHT TO FOOD AND RIGHT TO WORK 

3. KARNATAKA: MID-DAY MEALS AND SOCIAL AUDITS 

4. INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD 

5. ORISSA: OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO PREVENT STARVATION

6. REMINDER: “LIVING WITH HUNGER” (DELHI, 10 JAN 2003) 

7. OTHER REMINDERS 



1. SOCIAL AUDIT ON FOOD SECURITY (KELWARA, RAJASTHAN, 4 DEC) 

Against the background of severe drought in Rajasthan, an innovative “social audit” of food-related programmes is being planned by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in association with the National Campaign for the People’s Right to Information (NCPRI). This event will take place on 4 December in Kelwara (block Kumbalgarh, district Rajsamand). An open invitation letter sent by Aruna Roy on behalf of MKSS describes the event as follows:

“The severe drought in Rajasthan, and the Supreme Court's orders on food security schemes, have made it imperative that ‘model’ social audits be conducted on the implementation of the entitlements. Measures for enforcing transparency and accountability will have to be urgently evolved and institutionalised in Rajasthan, and other parts of the country. It is with this objective in mind that the MKSS along with the NCPRI is organising a Jan Sunwai on food security schemes on 4th December 2002 in Kumbalgarh Block, Rajsamand District,Rajasthan.

The MKSS has been exploring the use of the mode of Jan Sunwais or public hearings for almost a decade. Pressure brought about through public hearings on development expenditure in Panchayats, and through the Right to Information campaign, has resulted in social audit being made mandatory for all development expenditure in Rajasthan. The social audit process has shown immense potential. But for this to become a widely used and effective mode for citizens to audit government functioning, suitable procedures have to be evolved. Its scope has to spread to other spheres of citizens entitlements, and mandatory action must flow from its findings.

The Jan Sunwai in Kumbalgarh takes place in the back-drop of overflowing godowns and continuing hunger. The status of the poor in a drought affected state and the need for a long term policy for drought proofing will be examined. We also expect to look at problems of the PDS delivery machinery at the level of implementation. Our attempt will be to identify and emphasise processes that can allow citizens to control corruption, ensure delivery of entitlements and raise basic questions related to policy for ensuring food security.”

Place: Public Garden near Kelwara Bus stand

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Date: 4th December, 2002

Contact Number: 02951-250180 (Contact Person : Hameer)

Kelwara is a one hour road drive from Gomati Chauraha which is 25 kms. before Rajsamand on NH-8 as you proceed towards Udaipur. You can get jeeps or buses from the chauraha which go to kelwara via charbhuja. 


2. MADHYA PRADESH: RIGHT TO FOOD AND RIGHT TO WORK

A lively consultation on the right to food took place on 25 November at the Baba Amte Centre for People’s Empowerment, district Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Participants came all over Madhya Pradesh to discuss the monitoring of Supreme Court orders as well as other aspects of the Right to Food campaign in Madhya Pradesh. A procedure was evolved to make use of the monitoring and redressal process coordinated by Dr. N.C. Saxena, who has been appointed as Commissioner by the Supreme Court to monitor the implementation of recent orders on the right to food. There was also much discussion of extending the campaign to the right to work, especially in the light of widespread drought across Madhya Pradesh. Three specific issues were identified for follow-up action: (1) guaranteed employment in all panchayats; (2) payment of legal minimum wages; and (3) timely payment of wages. The participating organisations also resolved to initiate field surveys in their respective areas to monitor the situation. 

For further details, please contact Mihir Shah at samprag@sify.com

3. KARNATAKA: MID-DAY MEALS AND SOCIAL AUDITS

Dr N. C. Saxena, Commissioner to the Supreme Court, met officials of the government of Karnataka during a recent visit to the state. He was informed that the state is planning to extend the scheme to all the districts and would hopefully start the scheme by February. The government has also made a proposal to this effect. The scheme also includes a ‘nutritional supplement’ plan that involves providing each child with: (1) two deworming tablets (albendazole, 400 mg) every six months; (2) 16 Vitamin-A tablets (25000 IU) each year, to be administered at the rate of 8 tablets every 6 months; and (3) ferrous sulphate tablet as an iron booster. This will cost Rs. 11 per child per year and 37 lakhs to the state for the whole year. 

This development is happening in the wake of an active campaign in Karnataka. The issue of mid-day meals has been taken up in many different forums, most recently at a$farmers’ rally in Belgaum district. It should also be emphasized that the Government of Karnataka has shown sustained interest in mid-day meals, even before the Supreme Court order of 28 November 2001. 

MORE ACTIVITIES IN KARNATAKA: A workshop on social audits was conducted recently in Bangalore. The resource persons included Nikhil Dey of MKSS and Alok Rath of ActionAid India, Bolangir. Encouraged by this experience, the participating groups have decided to take up social audits in different parts of Karnataka in the near future. 

4. INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD

FIAN (Food First International Action Network) held a meeting on 20-22 November in Germany, to discuss NGO strategies on the development of international voluntary guidelines on the right to food. This process is starting under the auspices of the FAO, and will proceed with an Intergovernmental Working Group where all states members will meet to discuss the establishment of these guidelines. We are yet to receive the position paper and further details of this process. More on this (in future Updates or on the website) in due course.

5. ORISSA: OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO PREVENT STARVATION 

In a recent order, the Supreme Court directed all the states to prevent starvation deaths, and also stated that in the event of a confirmed starvation death, the Chief Secretary of the relevant state would be held accountable. We learn that the Chief Secretary of Orissa, prompted by this warning, has written to all the District Collectors and given them strong and clear instructions on this matter. 

The letter reiterates that the Sarpanches are empowered to provide immediate gratuitous relief (GR) of food for 10 days to anyone who is threatened with starvation. The Collector and the sub-Collector are empowered to authorize prolonged GRs. 

The letter goes on to say that despite all the efforts of the government, the people of KBK districts “face untimely deaths” and efforts must be taken to protect life at all cost. It adds that the collectors will be held jointly responsible along with the chief secretary. 

Most importantly, the Chief Secretary has asked all the collectors to evolve procedures for regular monitoring and timely action, in consultation with people’s representatives, NGOs and other agencies. The full text of the letter is available on the campaign website (see http://www.righttofoodindia.org/events/orissa_csletter.html). 

6. REMINDER: “LIVING WITH HUNGER” (DELHI, 10 JAN 2003) 

As mentioned in earlier Updates, a major public hearing on hunger and starvation will be held in Delhi on 10 January, 2003. Particular attention will be given to recent instances of "starvation deaths" in different states. First-hand testimonies of these events, and of the living conditions that prevail in the affected communities, will be presented at the hearing. Going beyond this, the gathering will focus on the enormity of hunger in contemporary India, and the diverse ways in which it blights people's lives. The hearing will also be an opportunity to consider the failure of the state in addressing these issues, as well as the future direction of the Right to Food campaign. 

We expect a large turnout from many different states. Please consider joining this event. “Guidelines” for the participants have been prepared and will follow in a separate mail. 

7. OTHER REMINDERS 

We end with assorted reminders: 

(1) AIDWA is planning nation-wide agitations on the right to food on 10 December, Human Rights Day (see Update 7). 

(2) The right to food will be high on the agenda at the Asia Social Forum in Hyderabad on 2-7 January (especially on 3-4 January). We hope to see you there. 

(3) Please visit and publicise our webiste, http://righttofood.tripod (the same site is also available at www.righttofood.com). 

(4) If your organisation has a newsletter, please consider using or reprinting items from this Update to help spread awareness of the campaign. 

(5) If you are an active member of the campaign, please send us information from to time about your activities, for inclusion in future Updates. Contributions to the Right to Food Update may be sent to right2food@yahoo.co.in