UPDATE 9

Dear friends, 

One year ago, on 28 November 2001, the Supreme Court passed an ‘interim order’ that effectively converts the benefits of eight food-related schemes into legal entitlements. Slowly but surely, the order seems to be having an impact in many states. The introduction of mid-day meal programmes in many states, also based on that order, is another encouraging development. Yet, massive violations of this and related orders continue across the country. There is a growing concern for effective monitoring and redressal mechanisms aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of Supreme Court orders. This Update begins with brief reports of three initiatives in that direction – from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively. 

We would like to remind you of the public hearing ‘Living with hunger’ to be held in Delhi on 10 January, 2003. The public hearing comes in the wake of widespread reports of hunger and starvation across the country. These hardships are likely to increase further in the next few months as drought conditions intensify in many areas. The public hearing is an important opportunity to consolidate the campaign in anticipation of these difficult times. 

…and now for today’s headlines. 



1. PUBLIC HEARING IN KELWADA (RAJASTHAN), 4 DECEMBER 

2. SURVEY OF FOOD SCHEMES BY ANNA ADHIKAR ABHIYAN IN MAHARASHTRA 

3. WORKSHOP ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD IN BABA AMTE CENTRE, M.P. 

4. AIDWA PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 

5. RIGHT TO WORK BILL TABLED IN THE PARLIAMENT 

6. PADYATRAS AND RALLY IN JHARKHAND 

7. INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD 

8. ANOTHER EVALUATION OF MID-DAY MEALS IN RAJASTHAN 

9. RIGHT TO FOOD AND THE ‘ASIAN SOCIAL FORUM’ (2-7 JAN, 2003) 



1. PUBLIC HEARING IN KELWADA (RAJASTHAN), 4 DECEMBER 

On 4 December 2002, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan convened a major public hearing on the right to food in Kelwada (district Rajsamand, Rajasthan). The main purpose of this hearing was to review the implementation of recent Supreme Court orders in the area. Prior to the hearing, a massive investigation of food-related programmes was carried out by MKSS activists in six nearby panchayats. This investigation uncovered extensive fraud in the public distribution system (PDS), as well as widespread irregularities in other food-related programmes. The silver lining was the mid-day meal programme – see item 8 below. 

The public hearing was not without suspense as local PDS dealers turned up in full strength, flanked by their chamchas, and repeatedly tried to derail or disrupt the meeting. Evidently, they felt threatened by this public exposure of corruption in the PDS. Fortunately, they were no match for the experienced activists of MKSS, who were able to stay the course. Initially, the local tribals (mainly Bhils, who are at the receiving end of merciless exploitation in the area) hesitated to speak out in front of the dealers, but their confidence grew as the hearing unfolded and soon they were queuing at the mike. 

The testimonies also covered drought-related issues such as the lack of relief employment in the area and the alarming depletion of water and fodder resources. The concluding resolution includes a strong demand for an employment guarantee scheme, a proposal that is slowly making some headway in Rajasthan. The public hearing attracted a wide range of participants from Rajasthan and beyond, and received wide media coverage. 

Much follow-up action in the area is expected in the wake of this public hearing. In particular, action will be sought against those who are guilty of corruption in the PDS. There is bound to be strong resistance from vested interests, especially as the ramifications of this lucrative business unravel beyond the local dealers. This could well turn out to be a significant test case of the possibility of eradicating corruption from the PDS. 

Background material prepared for the Kelwada public hearing includes a note on “public hearings and the right to food”, which may be of interest to other organizations. The note will soon be posted on the campaign website (http://righttofood.tripod), along with other documents relating with this important initiative. 

2. SURVEY OF FOOD SCHEMES BY ANNA ADHIKAR ABHIYAN IN MAHARASHTRA

There is a growing concern for effective implementation of Supreme Court orders at the ground level. This has motivated various groups to experiment with different forms of monitoring. Anna Adhikar Abhiyan, a network for promoting the right to food in Maharashtra, recently initiated a survey of food-related schemes in 63 villages and 16 urban settlements across 6 districts and two cities in Maharasthra. The survey covered 9 schemes covered in the Supreme Court of 28 November 2001 and follow-up orders. The findings bring out glaring gaps in the conception and implementation of various food schemes in the State. 

The draft survey report is available on the campaign website at http://www.righttofoodindia.org/links/reports/mahsurvey.html 

Anna Adhikar Abhiyan followed the survey with a series of meetings with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra as well as with secretaries of other departments handling food-related schemes. Dr. Abhay Shukla, who has been designated as advisor to the Commissioner in Maharashtra, took active part in these meetings. We hope to include further details of these meetings in later Updates. 

Anna Adhikar Abhiyan has recommended that state and district level monitoring committees should be set up with representation from the NGOs, panchayats, etc. They have asked for adequate powers to these committees to take action against officials who are not implementing the orders of the Supreme Court. For many of the schemes they have asked for an increase in the funding by the state government to make these schemes more effective and to give them a wider coverage. Some schemes like the National Family Benefit scheme require the applicant to do a lot of paperwork and visit many offices. Anna Adhikar Abhiyan has recommended that there should be a single window clearance with a one-month ceiling for processing such applications. The poverty line for the state, they feel, is very low and excludes a lot of really poor households. They have asked for a change in the criteria and for the use of social rather than economic criteria. Finally, the Abhiyan recommends that there should be adequate publicity about the schemes through AIR, DD, posters, wall writing, etc. Along with this the list of beneficiaries should also be displayed in each panchayat. 

3. WORKSHOP ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD AT BABA AMTE CENTRE, M.P. 

A workshop on the Right to Food was held at the Baba Amte Centre for People’s Empowerment near Dewas (M.P.) on 25 November, 2002. The main focus was the need to develop procedures for monitoring the implementation of Supreme Court orders. The meeting was facilitated by Mihir Shah, advisor to the Commissioner (Dr. N.C. Saxena). Extracts from the workshop report are copied below: 

“The workshop was attended by 41 people, mainly belonging to grass-roots people's organisations from 25 districts of MP and 2 districts of Chhatisgarh… The immediate focus of the workshop was on the reported starvation deaths in the districts of Shivpuri, Vidisha and Guna. ActionAid India presented the results of their ‘rapid rural appraisal’ in the 3 districts carried out in November 2002. MPBGVS presented the results of their survey on the 9 schemes being monitored by the Supreme Court, carried out in September 2002 in 202 villages and 207 schools in 24 blocks of 13 districts of MP. In the discussion that followed, participants described the situation in their respective areas… 

It was agreed that while 3 successive years of drought have brought the situation to a flash-point, there is a need to keep in view the ‘general state of drought and undernutrition’ that prevails in states like MP. And to work out long-term strategies of drought-proofing and mechanisms of monitoring, well beyond the immediate context of the Supreme Court order. It was also generally agreed that the focus should be on campaigning for a constitutional ‘Right to Work’ as the only effective means in the long-term to overcome the absurd situation of millions of tonnes of grain rotting in FCI godowns along with widespread hunger… 

Thus, apart from monitoring the functioning of the 9 schemes, it was felt that to emphasise the Right to Work, an estimate be made of the need/demand for work in each area, which would then be compared with the work being provided by district authorities. And the gap presented as a demand through the GS/GP to the district administration. The ongoing works would be monitored for periodicity and level of payment. Also to see that labour-displacing machinery is not used and that contractors are not being employed… 

Participants also drew attention to problems faced by those already or to be displaced by dam projects or wildlife sanctuaries. In their areas all development input by the state comes to a halt, years before actual displacement. Where is the question of mid-day meals when there are no schools being run? Similar problems are faced by ‘forest villages’. 

The vexed question of BPL surveys and the many flaws in their methodology was a major cause for concern. It was felt that BPL should not be used as a basis for state entitlements, given the completely unreliable nature of the list… 

After a review of the situation state-wide and an analysis of the factors contributing to its gravity, the discussion shifted to a plan of action. Each organisation spelt out the roles they were willing to undertake and the geographical areas they would cover…” 

4. FIGHTING FOR A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT : A LIFE FREE FROM HUNGER 

On the Human Rights day activists of AIDWA took to the streets all over the country on the issue of food. A report of the massive mobilization is available at here

The following give a flavour of the report and the activity they took up over the country. 

“On December 10, World Human Rights day, thousands of women all over India observed the day as one to assert the basic human right for a life free from hunger. At the call of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, women demonstrated at Central Government offices, at FCI godowns, outside State Assemblies to demand a universal public distribution system, cuts in prices of rationed foodgrains, expansion of the Antodaya system with special emphasis on widows, single women, disabled people and massive work programmes in exchange for good quality foodgrains calculated at Antodaya prices. Such actions were held in at least 100 centres in 18 States. In the Capital hundreds of women blocked the road outside the Food Ministry in a militant protest. Later a delegation comprising central AIDWA office bearers Brinda Karat, Premila Pandhe, Kalindi Deshpande and Ashalata met the Food Minister Sharad Yadav and gave him a memorandum. 

10,000 women marched through the streets of Bankura in West Bengal and held a sit-in at the office of the District magistrate even while another 5000 women demonstrated in Kolkata and gave a memorandum to the Governor. Demonstrations and dharnas were held in 16 other districts of the State. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh women broke into the FCI godown demanding distribution of the foodgrains rotting in the godown. In Kerala, in all the 13 districts women demonstrated at the FCI godowns. In Maharashtra, demonstrations and rasta rooks were held in at least ten districts including a morcha of 3000 women in Nasik and a rasta roko with 1000 women, most of them adivasi women blocking the national highway in Thalaseri in Thane district. In Jaipur, women clashed with the police who blocked them from reaching the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha. In both Bhubhaneswar and Lucknow large rallies were held outside the Vidhan Sabha. Other States like Tamilnadu, Haryana, Bihar also saw many demonstrations and mass mobilizations on similar demands.” 

AIDWA has been working on the issue of hunger for many months now and have been getting a big response from women all over the country. The drought situation has affected women severely. The report points out to the inadequate response by the central government for drought resulting in low levels of employment creation. The effect has been a degradation in the status of women reflected in lower wages, increased sexual exploitation at the workplace, etc. 

AIDWA called for an massive expansion in Antyodaya scheme and the food for work programme. They also pointed out that the grains given to labourers are priced at Above poverty line prices, that are well over even the market prices. They have asked for the grains given in relief employment to be priced at the antyodaya rates. They have further asked for going back to universal PDS and implementing the orders of the Supreme Court in PUCL Vs UoI and Ors. 

5. RIGHT TO WORK BILL TABLED IN THE PARLIAMENT 

A Bill seeking the right to work has been tabled by M. Banatwalla in the Lok Sabha (Bill No. 34 of 2002). For the full text of the Bill, see the ‘useful links’ section of the Right to Food Campaign website (http://righttofood.tripod). 

The Bill seeks to ‘provide for the right to work and for allowance till such time as appropriate work is provided to any citizen, for establishment of right to work fund, for creation of right to work insurance…’. It asks for provision of ‘appropriate employment’ (depending on ‘age, qualification and strength’) to all those who are registered for a period in the employment exchanges. Till such a time ‘appropriate employment’ is provided the Bill asks for the provision of unemployment allowance of at least Rs 200 per week. 

The Bill differs in significant respects from other attempts to press for an ‘employment guarantee’ oriented towards disadvantaged sections of the community. Yet it may help to revive the debate on the right to work. 

Meanwhile, informal sources indicate that the government might consider introducing an employment guarantee scheme in selected parts of the country. Earlier this year, the central government announced that the 100 poorest districts in the country would be covered under a new ‘Jaya Prakash Narayan Employment Guarantee Scheme’. This was announced in the budget but little has happened after that. All we know of the scheme is that a committee sat way back in May to designate the districts. Beyond that precious little has happened not just on the ground but even on paper! 

6. PADAYATRAS AND RALLY IN JHARKHAND 

There has been a good deal of activity in Jharkhand during the last few weeks, much of it initiated by Gram Swaraj Abhiyan. Detailed news are awaited, but some reports have already trickled in. On 15 November, regional “swaraj padyatras” were flagged off from 5 different places in Jharkhand - Godda, Dhanbad, Palamau, Ranchi and East Singbhum. The padyatras focused on the following issues: chronic hunger and Supreme Court orders on the right to food (particularly mid-day meals); required changes in the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act so that Gram Sabhas get greater powers; and peace and harmony. Another round of yatras was to start on 10 December, converging in Ranchi on 20 December were further activities have been planned. The whole programme is to culminate in a massive rally in Ranchi on 22 December. According to the organizers, close to half of all villages in Jharkhand are to be reached by this programme. 

7. INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD

The FAO has decided to set up an intergovermental working group as per the resolution adopted at the World Food Summit – Five Years Later. The group consisting of various governments, NGOs et al will work out a set of voluntary guidelines for the right to adequate food. The process will be completed within two years. 

8. ANOTHER EVALUATION OF MID-DAY MEALS IN RAJASTHAN 

As part of the groundwork done for the Kelwada public hearing on 4 December (see item 1 above), an informal survey of mid-day meals in Kumbalgarh tehsil (district Rajsamand, Rajasthan) was completed by a group of students from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in association with Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan. The survey involved unannounced visits to 12 schools. The investigators were pleased to find that mid-day meals are in place in all schools and that the scheme seems to be widely appreciated by parents and children, especially those from disadvantaged families. The quality of the food seemed satisfactory and the quantities were also adequate. However, a number of problems and shortcomings were identified. The infrastructural arrangements are far from satisfactory, e.g. most schools still lack a cooking shed. Many teachers complained about this additional imposition on their time (they are not generally involved in cooking, but they do spend time in supervision, accounting, etc.). And children as well as parents clamoured for a more varied menu (as of now, ‘ghoogri’ is served every day in most schools). The basic conclusion of this survey is that the mid-day meal is a promising initiative, and is already achieving a great deal, but it needs to be improved and consolidated. It is also important to ensure close supervision and monitoring, involving the participation of local communities, if the mid-day meal programme is to retain its momentum and avoid getting corrupted like the PDS. 

9. RIGHT TO FOOD AND THE ‘ASIAN SOCIAL FORUM’ (2-7 JAN, 2003) 

The right to food is expected to figure prominently at the ‘Asian Social Forum’ in Hyderabad on 2-7 January, 2003. We shall try to circulate a summary of relevant events as soon as possible. 

The Asian Social Forum is divided into (1) plenary conferences in the morning, and (2) a large number of parallel seminars and workshops in the afternoon. The ‘social infrastructure’ conference on 3 January, focuses inter alia on the right to food. A seminar on the Right to Food Campaign will be convened the next day (4 January) in the afternoon by the ‘support group’ of the campaign. Another workshop, focusing specifically on the Supreme Court hearing, has also been planned by the Support Group along with Human Rights Law Network. This would be held on the 5th January. Other events focusing on various aspects of the right to food are also expected, aside from a host of seminars on related issues such as livelihoods, health, agriculture, governance, water, etc. Quite a feast! 

If you are organising a food-related seminar or workshop in Hyderabad, please send us a few lines at right2food@yahoo.co.in and we shall circulate the information in future Updates.