AIDWA expresses deep disappointment and disagreement with the way UPA Government has handled a legislation as significant as the Food Security bill. It is shocking to see that an important subject such as the right to food should be brought in through an ordinance without a thorough debate in Parliament. AIDWA expresses its strong opposition to the undemocratic manner of taking the ordinance route for such an important bill, in blatant violation of both the spirit and intent of the Constitution. There is no justification for this and government must answer the public on what stopped it from calling a special session or advancing the monsoon session of the parliament.
AIDWA recognizes the urgent need for legislation on food security based on the principle of recognising that access to food must be a universal right which should also address the basic needs of the vast masses facing malnourishment, nutritional deficiency and food insecurity on a daily basis. Majority of these are women particularly the Dalit and Tribal sections. However, steps like this Ordinance, introduced with an eye on elections, are ill conceived. Had the UPA Government been sincere in its commitment to the needs of the poor and the undernourished, why wait four years to bring in such a flawed ordinance? This is totally unacceptable. During discussions with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, representatives of AIDWA have expressed their anxiety and concerns regarding ensuring food security for poor people, especially women and children in this country. Unfortunately none of these issues have been addressed while bypassing the democratic platform of Parliamentary debate before enacting such an important legislation. The UPA Government has once again shown its reluctance to face the social reality.
AIDWA requests the Honorable President of India not to allow Government to bypass Indian Parliament and thereby enact a law which grossly neglect people's needs as well as fails to heed their voices.
