Karnataka Food Security Nutrition is major Public Health emergency in India, with about 50% of its population suffering from it in some form of protein calorie deficit or micronutrient malnourishment. It causes for 50% of child mortality. According to World Health Organisation report 2015 :-42% of children between 0- 5 years of age in India are underweight and 59% are stunted.
There is wide diversity within India in all kind of social, educational and economic indicators. Most of littoral states do good in these indicators while hinterland states are backward.
STATUS OF KARNATAKA IN SOCIAL INDICATOR
Karnataka is one of the most developed state in India in terms of social and human development indicators. NITI aayog has placed Karnataka at eighth position in India in terms of human development indicators. Some comparative statistics of state is
Example:-
1).Literacy rate in Karnataka is 75.6% according to 2011 Census, marginally higher than national average.
2).Out of 6.1 bilion people in Karnataka; just1.2 million children between 0-6 years of age are malnourished and underweight.
3). Poverty ratio in Karnataka is 20.91% compared to National average of 21.92%.
CM Siddaramaiah announced his commitment to eliminate poverty from state and make Karnataka hunger free state with social governance. To achieve this objective government has taken various steps to eliminate poverty and hunger from the state.
Current scheme of Karnataka government for food security:–
1. PaditharaKhathi:- launch in 2014 for delivery of food grains at Public Distribution shops.
2.KsheezaBhagga :–under this scheme distribution of 150 ml milk thrice a week to school children and child care centre will be provided. This provision will be in addition to mid day meal scheme of Central Government .Under KsheeraBhagyascheme; Budget 2017-18 proposes to increase distribution of milk from existing 3 days to 5 days in a week.
3.Karnataka government launched foodsecurity program in 2013. Under thisprogramme government will provide 30 kg of rice at 1 rupees per kg to below poverty line people, this scheme was launched at world economic forum conference in London. This scheme is expected to improve socio economic condition of poor people in Karnataka as people will now have more money to spend onfamily health and education of their children.
Abovescheme will help to address problem of undernourishment, malnutrition and hunger in the state.But analysis of this scheme by MSSwaminathan revealed that food security act will solve caloric deficiency problem but not Hunger and malnutrition; protein and micronutrient deficiency problem.
Finally, effective implementation and success of this scheme will depend on it’s execution at ground level; like how much problem of Hunger and malnutritionwill be solved by this scheme.
4. Anna Bhagya Scheme:-
Under this scheme government is distributing food grains to BPL familiesin the state free of cost. This scheme has been quite successful for food security in state as 20 lakh poor families have already been brought under ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme through Public Distribution System network. To further enhance the outreach underAnnaBhagyascheme an increase in food grains distribution from current 5 kg to 7 kg per person proposed in current year budget.
5.Steps to improve Public Distribution system:-
This scheme was launched by “food, civil supplies and Consumer Affairs department” of Karnataka Government. Recently; steps have taken to improve performance of the scheme, to eliminate leakages and reduce corruption.
A.Digitalization of public distribution system process( it is also a good example of Internet of things(IoT)).
Example:- Online request for new ration card
-SMS service about food allotment to cardholder.
– Food coupon will be given to consumers through which food can be purchased from any Public Distribution shop in Taluka.
– Online details of ration cards,Monthly allotment of food etc.
B. Grievance redressal mechanism related to public distribution system.
5. MathruPurna Scheme:-
This scheme was launched for pregnant and lactating women. It aims to provide at least one nutritious meal everyday to pregnant women particularly those living in rural areas. Under this scheme, diet will include rice, dal,sambhar, green vegetable, pulses, egg and groundnuts. This scheme was launched by child and welfare department, Government of Karnataka.
- Namma Canteen:-
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announces ‘Namma Canteen’ on the lines of Tamil Nadu’s ‘Amma Canteen’ in budget 2017-18. Namma Canteen in Bengalurand Saviruchi Mobile Canteens in all 30 districts through ZillaStreeShakthi associations.Namma canteen to serve breakfast for Rs 5 and lunch for Rs 10 with a budget provision of Rs 100 crore for year 2017-18.
- Further, Budget 2017-18proposedthat Eggs for Anganwadi children will be provide for two days a week from June 2017 across state.
Way forward:-
- improvement in performance of integrated child development scheme(ICDS) like replacing packed food with better nutrition rich food, like local cooking food.
2. Food cooking and distribution with the help of self helpgroups(SHG) and non – government organisations(NGO).
3. Diversification in procurement i.e. Inclusion of pulses lentils, oil seeds etc.
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