By Abdul gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: The Government of Assam launched a state-wide promotional campaign to showcase the Centre’s ambitious Food Security Scheme at the grassroots coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a function held at Sarusajai Sports Complex here on Tuesday.
Addressing a huge gathering, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, “We will roll out the Food Security Scheme from November 19 coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In Assam, about 2.25 crore people from around 40 lakh families will benefit from the scheme.”
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and other ministers during the launching of publicity campaign of Food Security Bill in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Gogoi said the ordinance on food security would help battle malnutrition and hunger. “One should not oppose the scheme for opposition’s sake. One has to understand the pangs of hunger to realise how important the scheme is for the poor segments of the society,” he said, adding, “Our Governments at the State and at the Centre are more concerned about the poor and have taken up different schemes for their welfare.”
Terming it a “dream of top leadership, including Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi”, Gogoi said the Government would have no difficulty in implementing the scheme because of self-sufficiency on the food front. “There was a time when we had to import food grains from the US. But now our country has attained self-sufficiency on the food front, thanks to the hard work of our farmers.”
The Chief Minister said the day is not far off when the country would see shelter becoming a right after the Right to Education and Right to Food. “In our State we will launch a scheme ensuring shelter to the rural and urban poor,” he said.
Gogoi sought the cooperation of one and all for smooth implementation of the Food Security Scheme in ‘letter and spirit’.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Dr. Nazrul Islam said the State Government would roll out the scheme from November 19 with an aim to cover about 2.25 crore people across the State. “From the rural areas, around 84.17 per cent of the people will get the benefit, while it will be about 60.35 per cent in urban areas. Altogether 2,52,18,000 persons will be benefited,” Islam said.
Islam said there would be no difficulty in preparing the list of beneficiaries as the State has already 7.04 lakh beneficiary families under Antodoya Scheme, 20 lakh beneficiary families under Chief Minister’s Anna Yojona and over 12 lakh BPL families. “All these families together form about 40 lakh families who are likely to benefit from the Food Security Scheme,” he added.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi delivers his speech during during the launching of publicity campaign of Food Security Bill in Guwahati on Tuesday.
As per the revised schedule, the last date for receipt of application has been fixed on August 27, 2013.
“The list will be displayed on August 30, 2013. From September 2 to 9, 2013, the claims and objections will be received. From September 9 to 26, 2013, the hearing of the claims and objection will be done. From October 3 to November 4, the lists will be approved by the authorities concerned,” said Islam.
Islam said the Chief Minister had set up a Group of Ministers headed by Minister Prithibi Majhi to monitor proper implementation of the scheme. “Guidelines have been framed for implementing the scheme. Instructions have been issued to deputy commissioners to prepare a list of beneficiaries whose incomes do not exceed Rs 1 lakh a year. We have to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are included in the list. People have to be made aware of the benefits of the scheme,” he said,
As per the scheme, rice will be available at Rs 3 per kg, while wheat and coarse cereals will be offered at Rs 2 and Re 1 respectively for each kg. The Food Security Scheme also has benefits for pregnant women and children between six months and 14 years of age.
Bhubaneswar Kalita, MP said the ambitious scheme, a revolutionary initiative of the UPA Government, would ensure food security and food guarantee to the poor and weaker sections of society. “It is the responsibility of one and all to ensure that no one goes without food,” he added.
Avinash Pande, MP said the country attained political freedom 67 years ago but the Food Security Ordinance would now ensure economic freedom for the people of the country.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi paying tribute to former Prime Minister Rajib Gandhi on his birth anniversary in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Lauding Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his bold and dynamic leadership in steering the State out of troubled waters and putting it on the high road of glory and prosperity, Pande said, “Assam is marching triumphantly on the path of growth and development, thanks to the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The rest of India is looking up to Assam for the upsurge on the development front.”
Earlier, Chief Secretary PP Varma, in his welcome address, spelt out the objective of the scheme and sought people’s cooperation for its successful implementation.
The function was attended, among others, by ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MPs, MLAs, PRI representatives, CEMs of Autonomous Councils and senior officials of Food and Civil Supplies Department and other departments.