FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA: THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD AND THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

Abstract

The concept of Food Security is multi-dimensional and exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for healthy life. The right to food is the basic socio-economic right which lays down the principle of democracy in India. In September 2013, the Parliament of India passed the National Food Security Act (NFSA) that made ‘right to food’ a legal entitlement for approximately three-fourths of the rural population and half of the urban population of India. Besides ensuring access to highly subsidized food grain, NFSA also made maternity benefits and nutrition for children aged six months to 14 years a legal entitlement. The Act, which aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, is a repackaging of three earlier schemes: the Midday-meal (MDM), the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS). The Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to ensure that beneficiaries are not adversely affected by provision of food coupons in place of affordable food grains.  The objective of this paper is to examine right to food in the International and Indian context on human rights approach, issues, challenges and policies in food security.

“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life