| Right to Food Campaign | |||
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DHANBAD APPEAL Dhanbad, 17 February 2002 In a National Meeting of BGVS at Dhanbad a decision was taken to call for an Action Day on MDMS. The appal issued by them started it all You may be aware of the Supreme Court hearing on the right to food, initiated almost a year ago in response to a petition submitted by the People's Union for Civil Liberties. A significant interim order was passed on 28 November. Among other provisions, this order directs all state governments to introduce cooked mid-day meals in all government and government-assisted schools. This is to be done within three months (i.e. by 28 February 2002) in half of the districts, and within 6 months in all districts. This order is a major victory for the right to food campaign. However, many state governments are likely to resist the order in one way or another. For this reason, it is important to supplement the legal process with organised popular demand for school meals. In the absence of public pressure, the order may not be implemented. To initiate this campaign, we propose a day of action on Tuesday 9 April 2002. The highlight of this day of action will be a peoples' school meal organised by local communities in selected schools. The aim of this action is to shame the government and show that people are tired to wait. This public mid-day meal could be organised in or near any government school. Small towns would be a good location from the point of view of media attention and public outreach. It would also be useful to include district headquarters and state capitals, and strategic spots such as the doorsteps of the CM's residence, DM's office, etc. Other activities are also welcome, e.g. lobbying of MLAs, agitation outside FCI godowns, representations to the relevant authorities, etc. The preparation phase, during the next few weeks, is an opportunity for mobilisation and lobbying activities. We recommend a question in the State Assembly, during the budget session in March, asking the state government to explain publicly what it proposes to do to implement the SC order. Other means can also be used to promote wide debate on this issue, e.g. public meetings, discussions with MLAs, editorials in the local press, and so on. This day of action on 9 April 2002 will be followed by a similar day of action in early August, in states where school meals are still not being implemented. School meals are important not just from the point of view of nutrition and health. They also boost school attendance, and enhance children s learning abilities. School meals also promote social equity, since the children who attend government schools come mainly from disadvantaged families. Last but not least, school meals help to break the barriers of caste, since they require all children to sit together and share a meal, irrespective of caste. Given these wide-ranging social benefits of school meals, many constituencies can be mobilised for this action, including organisations concerned with health, nutrition, education, social justice and dalit rights. We appeal to all members of BGVS and other concerned organisations to support this effort. Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti |
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