The Insecurity of Food Security..
Over the past few months, the noise around the food security bill has only become louder. The UPA 2 government, standing on shaky ground is desperate to somehow pass it in the two houses of the Parliament On the other hand, the opposition parties lead by the BJP have come together to oppose the passage of the bill on various reasons. This hurry on both sides is palpable due to the general elections scheduled for early next year. The UPA is hoping that the food security bill, like the MGNREGA (rural employment guarantee scheme) will turn its fortunes and bring it back to the South Block in New Delhi for an other five year term. Beyond this hidden agenda, there is little evidence to prove that the government's real motive for the passage of this bill is its commitment to its slogan of inclusive growth.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not against this initiative that could potentially provide succor to millions of people. However, the last few years are testimony to the fact that such haphazard schemes have done more harm than good to India's economy. Lack of oversight on program implementation, leakages at all levels, increased cost of agricultural labor, inflationary pressure etc. have resulted in sub par results for most flagship schemes such as MGNREGA and nothing better could be expected from subsequent schemes.
Some may argue that such problems are to be expected when implementing any program in the World's largest democracy and that these minor problems should not influence the design of welfare programs that are reaching a majority of the intended beneficiaries. However, I have reasons to believe that the benefits of these welfare programs never reach a majority of their intended and that the biggest welfare program that the Government of India should envisage, with a great degree of urgency, is one of fixing its delivery mechanisms for any welfare programs implemented in the future.
Without a sincere effort to bring about changes in the delivery mechanism, the Government's programs will increasingly be seen as vote bank politics at best or another grandiose plan to rob the Nation's economy at worst.
Srini
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