Hunger Deaths

It is very painful when people in the country die from hunger. India is a country where we hear on daily basis people dying from hunger in some parts in the interiors or sometimes in urban area also. After Covid pandemic , as per reports there has been increase in such type of deaths. In a democratic country like India it really becomes difficult to implement such scheme by the central govt, because the state govts should also be part of this scheme. This matter is being discussed in Supreme Court (SC) in response to many petitions on the subject, and in the past SC had asked central govt to file an affidavit on the subject. On 16^th November 2021, while hearing on this matter, SC asked the central govt to expedite the formation of this welfare scheme in concurrence with the state govts.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana was hearing a plea seeking the setting up of community kitchens across the country to address hunger and malnutrition.

As per SC, the first responsibility of every welfare state is to provide food to people dying of hunger, the Supreme Court reminded the central govt and frowned upon the practice of assigning relatively junior officials to file affidavits on such matters.

The observations came while the court was going through the Centre’s response to a demand for free community kitchens at a time the pandemic has robbed  many Indians of their livelihood. The Centre’s affidavit desisted from making any commitment on the community kitchens but merely said the scheme was under process as it was still collecting information from states and Union Territories. CJI further added that ‘we are concerned about hunger and people. If you want to take care of hunger, no constitution or law will say no to it. This is the first principle. Every welfare state’s first responsibility is to provide food people dying of hunger.  The Centre’s affidavit desisted from making any commitment on the community kitchens but merely said the scheme was under process as it was still collecting information from states and Union Territories.

The SC directed the Centre to convene a meeting with the states and the Union Territories to chalk out a coordinated approach and come up with a solution within three weeks. It made it clear that the affidavit on the action taken must be filed by a secretary of the Union govt. The issue is to now make a comprehensive scheme. Identify areas where there is immediate need so that it can be uniformly implemented. Do not think this issue is connected with malnutrition. This is regarding hunger. People are dying because of hunger and these two issues can not be mixed.

Some salient points which were mentioned in SC’s order

• At the outset, we are not happy with the fact that the affidavit in this matter has been filed by thee Under Secretary of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. In future some responsible Officer of the rank of Secretary shall file the affidavits.
• We find that the proposed Community Kitchens Scheme is still under process and they are obtaining the suggestions/views of the States/ Union Territories in the matter. In view of the above, finally three weeks’ time from today is granted to the Central govt to come up with a model Community Kitchens Scheme agreeable to the States/ Union Territories. In case some of the States/ Union Territories have any objection with the Scheme to be formulated by the Central Govt, we will consider the same on the next date of hearing.
• We direct all the State Governments/ Union Territories to attend the meeting to be arranged/ organised by the Central govt and cooperate with them in coming up with the said Scheme, which can be made uniformly applicable to all the States/Union Territories.

In my opinion all these observations in SC’s order is a big slap on the face of central as well state govts. All these time these govts have been taking the issue of hunger deaths very lightly and is good that SC has intervened in this matter. People dying of hunger is a very serious issue and no govt should take this lights as it reflects very badly on country’s image and also it is a big humanitarian issue.

Friends, what you have to say in this matter.

Waiting, for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

17^th November 2021.