Meghalaya’s Food Security Act:
A Precedent of Commitment in Good Governance
Dr Sangma called for better work culture in the State to ensure better implementation of projects. “If government employees work in the right spirit, then the implementation of the programme will be in right earnest and benefit the people”, said Sangma, while launching the Statewide National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) and National Food Security Mission at Tura.
Sangma stated that the delay in the launch of the Act was due to many factors. “We wanted to reach out to the most needy, based on the socio-economic census. After due diligence, the process was completed to benefit the people. We have incorporated every section of the society and the people, who are entitled to benefit as mandated in the programme.”
Further, the CM stated while launching food security act of Meghalaya, that the government would work on a policy for recruitment in government jobs to ensure no room for ‘inefficient people’. He specifically spoke about transparent recruitment policy, which according to him has already been made for the police department.
He added that many other States have shown keen interest to follow the Meghalaya model for the implementation of the programme. The programme, set to be rolled out next month across all eleven districts in the State, will benefit 77.79 per cent of the rural population and 50.87 per cent of the urban population. More thrust would be given to pregnant, lactating mothers and children between the age group of 0-6 years for supplementing their nutritional requirement, as is mandated in the Act. The CM and other dignitaries handed over the NFSA ration card to the beneficiaries.
