25 Pct Population Hungry in India Even With Excess Grain Stock

He informs, “The number of BPL families is based on projection for the year 2000 based on the 1991 Census. So their figures are off by 8-10 crore. We are trying to persuade them to adopt the 2011 population data,” as reported by TNN.

Justice Wadhwa, headed the committee to suggest improvements that needs to be made in the public distribution system. It was pointed out that India projected a population of 99 crore in 2000, which has increased to 122 crore in 2012.

The poverty line in India is itself a subject of serious dispute which is set at a scanty price of   18 in urban areas and 12 in rural areas per person per day. At present the government offers wheat and rice at Rs 6.10 and Rs 8.30 per kilogram respectively. Many families who are technically above the poverty line are in fact so poor that they can’t even afford these items even at these prices.

The most evident solution suggested is distribution to everybody.  Economist Jean Dreze, a NAC member sees the surplus stock as a ‘great opportunity’ to combine the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act.

He said, “It could be used to facilitate the transition to a more inclusive if not universal PDS within a few years,” as reported by TNN.

However, the government is not at ease with this idea, which will result in the warehouses remaining full with stacked food grains in the coming months and the population which is struggling to feed itself, stays struggling.

Also Read: India Scores Low on Hunger Index