Stop The Robbery
Public distribution system must be decentralised
Medha Patkar and Simpreet Singh
Mahatma Gandhis picture does not just hang on every wall of a government office, he is also remembered regularly for his principles, one of which is Antyodaya. To remember the face of the poorest when you decide on priorities, preferences and privileges is what Gandhi didnt just preach but practised. What have we done with Gandhis message after 60 years of independence? What is our record on feeding the poor?
The answer lies in the recent expose of what is nothing less than the robbery of foodgrains meant for the poorest of the poor. The recent report of the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution states that in the last three years, Rs 31,585 crore worth of wheat and rice meant for the poor were siphoned off from the public distribution system (PDS) and found out their way into the black market. The report has vindicated not merely the rural, urban and tribal poor but also activists who have raised this issue time and again. A Bofors or Tehelka has gripped our imagination for such a long time, but they pale before the food scam.
The data shows that this large amount of foodgrain is not reaching the consumers, who are dependent on PDS. It is being sold in the open market proving beyond doubt that in the name of providing food security and ensuring availability of foodgrains at affordable prices to the public, the intermediaries government and the administrative machinery are getting the real benefit. This reflects the priorities of our bureaucrats and politicians and their attitudes towards the needy.
Those working with the marginalised sections of society very well understand the positive impact that PDS has on lessening their vulnerabilities. Affordable foodgrains can prevent malnutrition, which is above 50 per cent in the adivasi regions as also in slums in urban areas. For all those working in the unorganised sector, provision of low-price food grains is a significant relief.
But for those implementing the PDS scheme, it is a goose that lays golden eggs. The story of corruption does not end with the ration shops. That is only half of the story. The grains and kerosene that do reach ration shops are subject to further fraud. The products are invariably sold at a higher price than prescribed rates and liberally mixed with low quality foodgrains. Even in order to obtain a ration card, an applicant has to pay a bribe anywhere
between Rs 500 and 5,000.
If these are added up, the food scam would total a few more hundred crore rupees. This has been brought out repeatedly by the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) reports, which are hardly ever paid attention. In April 2007, the CAG in its report for Maharashtra had said that the monitoring of the functioning of fair price shops was inadequate and vigilance committees, to be set up for monitoring the distribution of foodgrains, were either not there or were ineffective. This applies to most of the other states.
Its shocking that we are mute witnesses to such a vulgar loot. This needs to be stopped immediately. There have been many suggestions regarding the reform of PDS. These range from stopping the scheme altogether, issuing food stamps or giving the beneficiaries hard cash that they can use as they wish. The suggestion of stopping the scheme is ridiculous. The proposal of issuing food stamps is also only half a solution. What is the guarantee that these stamps will be issued only to those who really need it and that counterfeit stamps wont be printed?
Neither food coupons nor cash can ensure just and fair distribution. Unless and until there is a radical change in the wage policy and the disparity between the organised and the unprotected sector is mitigated, there can be no level playing field. Without such a basic capacity building through equity measures, the poor wont get their due. The minimum service of ensuring right to food has to be provided by the state.
This doesnt mean that the system can continue the way it is operating. It needs to be completely overhauled. Our experience of field-level work with the PDS and particularly of holding three public hearings with hundreds of slum-dwellers in Mumbai, with active participation by government officials, has shown a way out.
Actually, the solution is there in the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution. With the effective and true decentralisation of the PDS, direct accountability and internal dynamics would definitely reduce siphoning off of foodgrains and other malpractices. The decision-making would have to be in the hands of the people through gram sabhas in rural areas and basti sabhas in urban areas.
There has to be careful thought given to designing and defining the nature of food subsidy schemes, identifying the beneficiaries and operating the system at the community level. Till then, nothing is likely to change.
The writers are human rights activists.
Publication:Times of India Mumbai; Date:Oct 18, 2007; Section:Editorial; Page Number:18
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