I have come across several articles like this and this that seem to purport the idea that “the food bill costs way too much”! 125000 Crores? Really? These people fail to realize that it is the government’s job to spend this money. We pay tax to the government in order to enable it to spend not save! Do you think they will save all this money in a fixed deposit account or buy a few mutual funds ? This money will be paid by the government to the farmers/producers/suppliers to allow the food to reach the poor.This will in turn create more jobs and allow people to lead a better life.
Opinions are also such that providing free or low cost food is a populist move designed to attract votes. Instead, we should use this money for education and social upbringing of the needy. I agree that it’s a populist move, but one that is required. Nutrition is a basic human need for survival. Would you be able to concentrate on learning and hunting for jobs on an empty stomach?
I agree, if the quantity of food that reaches an individual through this scheme was such that it makes him/her complacent and disregard his/her attempt for his own growth thinking, “hey, I’m getting all this for free and life is good”, then yes, we do have a problem. But this is definitely not the case. No individual aspires to have sufficient food as his final goal. It is merely a first step to a better life.
Populist or not, the NFSB, if implemented correctly and not gobbled up by middle-men and politicians, is definitely a solid move from the ruling government.
“Money is used best when it is in rapid circulation. Money saved under a carpet is as good as the dust under that carpet.”