The Wide Net of Hunger

Context: Problems related to hunger and poverty during the period of economic crisis have increased during the pandemic induced economic crisis.

Concerns related to hunger and poverty:

• Low-income levels: 41 % of respondents have a monthly income of less than Rs 3,000 pre-lockdown compared to only 2.4 % having more than Rs 15,000.
• Compromising on food consumption and quality: More than half the respondents said their current consumption of rice/wheat was less than what it was pre-lockdown.
  • According to the National Sample Survey, between 63% and 76 % of rural Indians could not afford nutritious diets.
  • Almost two-thirds say their consumption of pulses has reduced while 73% reported that their consumption of green vegetables decreased (in October).
• Low consumption in Rural India: Consumption declined uniformly across the entire cross-section of rural India, which will have health and nutrition effects in the longer term.
• Alternative for school meals is not reaching all: Only 47 % of Anganwadi children and 63 % of school children are getting some sort of dry rations and/or cash support in lieu of the meals.

Significance of the Issues the Public Distribution System (PDS): While on the one hand, it is heartening to see that at such a time, the PDS seems to have come to the rescue for many -

• About 93 % with ration card had received free rations at least once with 5 kg of food grain per head each month at subsidized prices and an additional 5 kg for free and 1 kg pulses as COVID relief.
• This has led to high demand for ration cards.

 Way Forward

• Universalise PDS
• Resuscitate demand: by strengthening Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) along with an urban employment programme on similar lines. 

Conclusion: Urgent support is required to at least prevent starvation during the current period of economic slowdown