Kohima, June 3 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has begun an intensive awareness campaign on National Food Security Act (NFSA) after the Act was launched in Nagaland on June 27 by the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang to be implemented in Kohima and Dimapur.
On July 3, the organization conducted an awareness session at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kohima right after the morning worship service. Addressing the congregation, NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi termed NFSA as a historic step taken by the Government of India to eradicate hunger. The Act came into effect on September 10, 2013 and extended to the whole of India to ensure access to adequate quantity and quality of food at affordable prices, he mentioned.
As per the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013, it is the State government’s bounden duty to implement the Act and monitor it in accordance with guidelines issued by the Central government so that the scheme reaches to the targeted beneficiaries in the State.
Under the Act, Savi said, the scheme of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) meant for the poorest sections will continue, but the BPL & APL categories have been converted into Priority Household (PHH). Each category, i.e., both AAY & PHH will be getting a kg of rice at the rate of Rs.3/- and wheat at Rs.2/- per kg, it was informed, according to a press release from Press & Media Cell, NVCO. The eldest woman in the family not below 18 years will be the head of the family in holding ‘Card’. As per the Act, it is mandatory for every beneficiary to have Aadhaar card followed with fingerprint.
The NVCO President pointed out that following the system may not be easy, but asserted every beneficiary must follow as it is the only way to ensure transparency and avoid misappropriation and corruption. “We are all aware that there was misappropriation and corrupt practices in MGNREGA Schemes just because beneficiary failed to stick to ‘job card’ and in the same manner if we don’t follow the system then we are inviting corruption by ourselves,” he added.
Savi appealed to the congregation, especially the beneficiaries, to extend their co-operation to the Department of Food & Civil Supplies, District Administration, village authorities, and colony panchayats in urban areas while carrying out the Act.
Meanwhile, the NVCO President asserted the top priority should be given to the genuine candidates to avail the benefits under the Act and that none of the genuine candidates should be left out. He also maintained that the Act is not for the rich as the same is intended to fight against hunger. “Death arising out of hunger is one greatest Human Rights violation and therefore, this Act is also to ensure and protect one’s human rights,” he stated.
The team of ‘Citizens Right Awareness Campaign’ led by its Professor-in-Charge Kezhokhoto Savi will be conducting more of this kind of awareness programme giving more priority to churches considering church as a good platform to highlight about the fight against hunger and corruption.
For further information, contact: e-mail- kezhokhotosavi@yahoo.com or through Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701 of Nagaland State Consumer Helpline whose office is situated at Old Assembly Secretariat building, Kohima.
