Govt considers tribunals for better food security

Another measure,which is likely to be considered by the EGoM is,direct cash transfer to the beneficiaries under the Act. “The cash,which will be directly given to the beneficiaries,could be limited only to the subsidy amount under the proposed Act,” sources said.

A vexed issue which is haunting the officials working on the draft Bill is how to converge schemes of different ministries under the proposed law. “We need to identify the roles of various ministries which would play key roles in executing the proposed Act,” sources said,pointing out that the EGoM was also to likely deliberate on this matter.

The agenda also includes deciding whether to introduce an employment guarantee scheme for urban population.

The EGoM is also expected to issue policy directions on defining the target beneficiaries. “Are they to be the same as the BPL families or some other criteria are to be applied?” sources said. The EGoM would also decide on the number of BPL families to be brought under the proposed law,sources said. A considerable degree of clarity is also needed on whether Antyodyaya Anna Yojana,in which 35 kgs of rice or wheat is provided to the poorest among the poor at a rate of Rs 2 per kg,is to be retained under the new law,according to sources.

Since many state governments have disputed the number of BPL families estimated by the Planning Commission,the EGoM is likely to make this matter clear. The EGoM would also deal with another vexed issue of including the above poverty line (APL) category under the ambit of the proposed law,said sources.