New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Hundreds of people are expected for a rally in Delhi Thursday to demand change of government policies to ensure food security for all.
Announcing the initiative at a press conference in the capital Tuesday, Colin Gonsalves of the Right to Food Campaign said: “Much of the present food crisis is caused by the economic policies of the present and past governments. Therefore it is essential that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government recognizes this stark reality and all policies that are creating and exacerbating hunger be reversed with immediate effect.”

Kavita Srivastava, one of the campaign managers, said: “In the face of the rising food prices, the UPA government’s plan to enact a National Food Security Act and give 25 kg of food grains to each Below Poverty Line (BPL) household at Rs.3 per kg is meaningless”.

“Our largest employment sector is agriculture with 60 percent of our population dependent on it. However, this sector is in grave crisis with farmers committing suicide or leaving agriculture in the face of food shortage. To make matters worse, 278 districts have been struck by the worst drought in years,” she added.

The rally, which will see farmers and members of grassroot organisations participating in it, will put forth demands for a broader based Food Entitlements Act that deals with causes of hunger and provides every individual with food entitlements.

“The government must ensure that no man, woman or child sleeps hungry or is malnourished,” Srivastava added.