Indian Church welcomes government’s food security fund bill

(March 19, 2010) Indian Church officials have welcomed the government’s plan to set up a food security fund to reduce the number of deaths from starvation in the country. Capuchin priest, Father Nithiya Sagayam, secretary of the Indian bishops’ Commission for Justice, Peace and Development, told UCA News on Friday that they welcome the move even though it is a little late. Indian media reported on Thursday that the federal government had drafted a bill to set up a Central Food Security Fund to compensate 65.2 million families living below the poverty line. Each family under this category is entitled to 25 kilograms of wheat or rice through the public distribution system at the subsidized rate of Rs. 3 per kilo. However, many families cannot afford even this amount. Federal Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told media on Thursday that he expects the cabinet to approve the bill next week. Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson for the Indian bishops’ conference, welcomed the bill as a “commendable step” to eradicate hunger from India. The Divine Word priest noted that government public distribution system was implemented decades ago but very few people have benefited from it because of very poor management. Fr. Sagayam released a trainers’ kit on March 1, as part of the Catholic Church’s campaign to educate people on their right to food. He wants the bill passed without much debate in parliament because, he said, “it is the government’s obligation to look after the poor.”