Poorest of the poor to benefit from National Food Security Act

Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) has recommended
the rollout of the proposed National Food Security Act in a phased manner in
around 160 poorest of the poor districts or blocks, providing 35 kg of grains
at Rs 3 per kg to every household.

The NAC has also put aside the government-approved Communal
Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill of 2005 and
decided to prepare a fresh draft incorporating the concerns of civil society
groups.

The NAC said the objective of the draft communal violence bill
was not to empower the state governments and the central government, but to ensure action and
accountability of public authorities for the prevention and control of communal
and sectarian violence that threatens the physical, social, economic,
cultural, political and human security of citizens and the unity and secular
fabric of the country.

The NAC said the draft legislation requires provisions to
ensure speedy investigation, prosecution and punishment of those engaging in
communal and sectarian crimes; and the guarantee of the rights of victims and
survivors to comprehensive rescue and relief, compensation and reparation.

As for the Food Bill, the NAC agreed that its beneficiaries
would also include the urban poor.