New Program Aims to Feed India

India, though it has made significant progress in the last century, still has many problems to deal with.  Considering it is one of the most populous countries in the world, poverty is certainly one of those.  Now, a new social program looks like it will at least help with a portion of that by providing cheap food to people, although there are many that criticize this move as little more than a political ploy.

The program is called the National Food Security Bill and each month it will help to distribute discount rice, wheat, millet and maize to an estimated 800 million people.  The goal is to help alleviate poverty by keeping people fed and healthy while allowing them to spend their limited money on things besides just surviving.  It basically takes the already existing state-run programs and moves them up to a national level so that they are guaranteed.  One recent study says that India is falling behind most of Southeast Asia as far as welfare for the poor goes, so this is a step in the right direction. 

Of course, not everyone agrees with the new policy.  Those in opposition claim that the country can not afford it, citing that the already existing budget of around $15 billion will more than double.  They also make the probably true claim that the timing of the bill - right before elections - was deliberate so that those responsible could drum up more votes.  They also make one other very important point - that the rampant corruption within the food ration shops will ensure that much of the cheap grain is never seen by those that actually need it.

While there are some valid points to be made by both sides, in the end, any help to keep people fed is worth the cost.  If India cannot bolster their economy enough that people can take care of themselves, it still needs to do something to make sure they eat.  With the highest number of malnourished children in the world, India can use all the help they can get.

Grains courtesy of Rasbak via Wikicommons