When the people in India are taking to roads against the saffronisation, growing intolerance, and apparent anarchy induced by Hindu religious fanaticism, Kashmir erupts against the much hyped Food Security Act, which has attracted insecurity besides having dozens of provision favouring poor and needy. Introduced by UPA in 2003 bill was termed a naked political intention to gain vote bank which slightly proved false. There were 15 Chapters and 3 schedules in when act was a bill and later was extended with many alterations and additions when passed by Parliament. From execution, administration to grievance redressal mechanism, Public Distribution system and women empowerment, the draft act was inclusive, keeping the socio-economic development in view.
The bill became the most debated piece of legislation in decades and was termed by social and economic scientists as an outcome of remarkable public and judicial action. Besides its understandable merits on reaching Jammu and Kashmir, Bill not only faces criticisms but was strongly protested by common masses as well as politicians –main stream and separatists. Furthermore the lack of information and awareness among administrators added more to the confusion regarding the bill, People are protesting against NFSA as elites and able middle class people mostly voters will now get 3 KGs of rice and flour instead of 35 KG they were receiving earlier in crowds with APL’s and BPL’s. Though the protest are outcome of ill official learning as well as lack of awareness among the public but the politicians are also trying to politicise the issue which they know is a non issue. NFSA was appreciated and welcome the by opposition when it was introduced by UPA even Prime Minster Narender Modi then as a Chief Minister of Gujarat wrote to then Prime Minister, asking for strengthening of NFSA. It (NFSA) had enhanced the outreach of the Public Distribution Systems and is credited with having put in place robust systems of transparency and accountability in public food schemes. The able middle class in Jammu and Kashmir being a class of voters for all the political parties should instead of taking warpath get the first hand awareness about the Act and their representatives also should act the learned instead instigating their voters about non issues. The lack of knowledge about the Act on part of the offences and bureaucrats is more required as public mostly listen to officers rather politicians. To make the Act effective and impressive officers should read the Act and its contents so that they can make public learn and understand the Act which is more inclusive and public friendly. The present hue and cry is also because the act was implemented by only cabinet approval. It was to be presented before JK Assembly for debate keeping in view the special status of the JK in Indian constitution. The act should have been debated in assembly before implementing it in the state so that all confusions and doubts could have been cleared. The state has many specific issues regarding NFSA which could have been amended through proper feedback and discussion.