By IANS,
New Delhi : Though it is concerned about food wastage at social dos, especially weddings, the government Tuesday said it prefers self-regulation over legal control to curb the problem.
“At the moment, we are suggesting self-regulation to people,” Consumer Affairs Minister K.V. Thomas told reporters.
“We will widely publicise the issue to prevent such wastage under our ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ (wake up consumer) campaign,” he added.
The Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, Tuesday gave its report on the practice to the ministry.
Suggesting educating the people in order to curb the social practice, the report said the government may consider restricting the number of dishes through a law by holding nationwide discussions.
Stating that food wastage is majorly an urban phenomenon but catching up in rural areas, it said 93 percent of the 80 people it spoke to for the study said that food is wasted at social gatherings. A total of 81 percent respondents believed food wastage is high during marriages.
According to the study, more food is wasted due to large number of dishes on the menu and blamed insensitivity of the people for it.
The study further said that while 95 percent respondents favoured controlling food wastage in social gatherings, 52 percent agreed government policies would be effective in curbing it.
Limiting the number of guests and bringing a new law for the purpose were the least preferred options, said the report.
The consumer affairs minister, who also hold the food portfolio, has written to Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and all chief ministers to include the topic of food wastage in school curricula.
“Feedback from Sibal and some states is positive,” said Thomas.