Consider food coupons for poor, NK singh tells centre

Janata Dal (United) MP NK Singh on Friday asked the government to consider providing food coupons to poor people on the lines of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar.

Appreciating the Centre’s proposal on direct transfer of cash for subsidy, Singh said Bihar has been successful in implementing food coupons and the Centre should consider it.

Moving a private member’s resolution to fine-tune the food security proposals in the Rajya Sabha, he said technology could be used to check misuse or duplication of the coupons.

“The proposed bill of the government concentrates on the reach and quantum of food entitlement, overlooks several important features which have gained international acceptance, Singh said.

His resolution seeks to include minimum entitlements for health and education consistent with human dignity and restructure the proposed bill as “Food and Security Bill.”

Besides food security, the Centre should ensure social security, right to safe drinking water, sanitation and shelter, it states.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said to deal with the poverty, local bodies need to be empowered. He said the government should seriously consider the issues raised by Singh.