RTFC Update
Secretariat Right to Food Campaign
RTF Update (June-July 2021)
On June 1st 2021 as Day of Action, Right to Food Campaign Chhattisgarh submitted a memorandum to Surguja district Collector.
Sangatin Kisan Majdur Sangathan organised a protest demonstration demanding 150 days of work under NREGA along with the demand of Food, Work and Health during the month of action.
On 10th June 2021, Right to Food Campaign issued a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister regarding nutrition and food security in the current crisis.
With 45% of Indians excluded from the food security net, it’s time to univeralise the PDS (Swati Narayan, The Scroll, 20th June)
On 18th June 2021, Khadya Suraksha Jan Adhikar Manch Paschim Singhbhum representatives submitted a letter demanding compensation and relief for affected families due to the Yaas cyclone.
The study by the Azim Premji University proposes the government transfer Rs 5,000 to each household registered under the public food distribution system (PDS) for the immediate three months. The report, State of Working India 2021, finds that the poorest 10 percent of workers lost Rs 15,700 owing to truncated incomes in March-October 2020 (lockdown and post-lockdown), compared to the July 2019-February 2020 period.
Odisha Chief Minister has announced Rs. 1690 crore Covid-19 relief package to support landless farmers, construction workers, urban poor, food security beneficiaries and MGNREGA workers and primitive tribes in Odisha.
Free ration will be given to 80 crore Indians under the extended Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till November this year.
The Union government has asked the Delhi government to speedily implement the “One Nation One Ration Card” programme, which helps beneficiaries, especially migrant workers, to avail subsidised food commodities from anywhere in the country. The programme was already functional in 32 states and Union Territories.
Food rights activists have demanded to Odisha CM to include free pulses and oil in PDS, provide work under MGNREGA (Gaon Connection, June 14th)
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public, Railways and Commerce & Industry Sh. Piyush Goyal said that farming and procurement of coarse grains needs to be increased in a planned manner. He said that the time has come to revise norms to incentivise the farming and distribution of Coarse grains in India.
Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan (DRRAA) has moved a fresh petition in the Delhi High Court seeking modifications to the Non-PDS Guidelines issued by the Delhi Government to provide dry rations to people without ration cards.
A study report (Hindi) named 'No Country for Workers’ by Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) finds that large sections of the poor were pushed to food rationing, cutting down on milk, meat and in some cases, even vegetables, threatening nutrition security during the lockdown. Another report by AICCTU in collaboration with Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) and Domestic Workers Rights Union (DWRU) highlights the status of workers during the COVID-19 2nd wave in Bengaluru and the second set of restrictions and lockdowns.
On 17th June the right to food campaign issued a statement demanding the Central government to take proactive steps to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and to educate people on the benefits of vaccinations. The campaign has welcomed the government’s decision to centrally procure the vaccines and distribute them to states.
The Delhi Government has sent the doorstep delivery of ration scheme file back to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, contending that its provisions are in accordance with the National Food Security Act, 2013, and that it will simultaneously ensure the implementation of the Centre’s “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme.
A 45-year-old woman and her five children are in hospital in western Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh town after battling intense hunger for over two months. The family members had neither a ration card nor Aadhar cards.
5 kg free ration a month to over 800 million beneficiaries extended till November 2021. (June 23rd, Gaon Connection)
On June 25th Application filed by Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan (DRRAA) challenging the guidelines issued by Delhi government for distributing rations to people without ration cards (Non-PDS) was heard by Delhi High Court bench of Justice Anup Bhambhani and Jasmeet Singh.
On June 26th, NREGA Sangharsh Morcha issued a letter (English/Hindi) to the Prime Minister of India appealing for implementing a 50 days special package for all NREGA workers over and above the 100 days across the country, given the national disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Right to Food Campaign issued a statement on the Supreme Court's direction to give rations to migrant workers and revise state-wise coverage of food security under NFSA.
Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhijan issued a letter to the Chief Minister of Odisha demanding food and income support to people going through difficult situations due to COVID-19 and prolonged lockdown.
Allegations regarding 4.50 lakh quintals of paddy were rotten to give to the liquor Mafia in Chhattisgarh.
The Right to Food Campaign conducted a Month of Action amid the ongoing crisis and structural dysfunctioning of governments with a strong campaign across the country with various networks and organisations demanding government’s accountability in terms of Food, Work and Health.
India wants to use food grains stock for ethanol. That’s a problem in a hungry country.(July 1st 2021).
Poorer Indian women lost more Jobs, ate less amid the pandemic, a study says, which states that about a tenth of the women surveyed reported less intake of food while 16% had limited or no access to menstrual pads.(NDTV, July 5th 2021)
According to a Survey, over 55% did not get nutrition under ICDS in 159 Jharkhand blocks. (Indian Express, July 6th 2021)
A year since 'One Nation, One Ration' was implemented, why hasn't it taken off? (Scroll.in, July 6th 2021)
On 6th July 2021, various organisations, networks and individuals issued a letter to the Chief Minister of Delhi regarding the urgent need to revise Non-PDS scheme, restock of ration at designated schools and open community kitchens in light of Supreme Court judgement & order of Delhi High court.
On 9th July 2021, Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan issued an update on a hearing held on July 9th, which failed to appreciate the urgency in the matter relating to people's right to food.
Falling government school enrolment is alarming and it needs to be addressed soon. ( Indian Express, 10th July)
On 11th July 2021, Dainik Bhaskar's report on poor quality of rice at PDS shops in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh.
Supreme Court missed its chance to help migrant workers. (the leaflet.in, July 11th 2021)
Indians sell their gold as covid second wave pushes millions into poverty. (NDTV, July 12th 2021)
Public discussions could have saved poor from suffering in pandemic. India needed more democracy than was allowed. (Indian Express, July 12th 2021)
Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan issued a letter on July 12th 2021, complaining against forest department's illegal encroachment, arrests, kidnapping of civilians and social activists.
Janta ka Faisla, citizens jury for migrant labourers. (July 13th 2021)
Union and state governments fare on Supreme Court's order providing safety net for migrant labour. (the wire, July 15th 2021)
On 16th July, the Right to Food Campaign sent a letter (English/Hindi) to the Food and Public Distribution minister of the Central Government on the issues of NFSA coverage listing down the urgent steps to be taken by the ministry towards universalisation and expansion of the PDS.
Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan (JJSS) issued a statement on the judicial killing of Father Stan Swamy and demanded bail for political prisoners.
Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan issued a note on the violence against Adivasi community of various districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Midday meal result in healthier next generation- study. (the hindu, July 18th 2021)
Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan has issued a letter at collector's office in Badwani district Madhya Pradesh towards the identified 4619 Adivasis from just 15 villages who are eligible and whose names and details have been updated but are still not receiving rations. This is in addition to approximately 3000 persons who are eligible but are not getting rations due to Aadhar seeding not being done.
MNREGA was safety net for workers during first wave but there are holes in it now. (Indian Express, July 24th 2021)
Share of tribal dalit labourers in Jharkhand MNREGA employment fell from 51 to 30 percent. (Newswing, July 24th 2021)
Public hearing on food insecurity during COVID-19 second wave in Delhi. (Indian Express, July 24th 2021)
Beneficiaries return empty handed as glitches hit e-pos machines in some ration stores in Delhi. (Hindustan times, July 27th 2021)
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