economic debate on tele-media: commercial treatment of food security discussion

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Economic Debate on Tele-Media: Commercial

treatment of Food Security discussion

By: Amit Bhushan contact:[email protected] Date: 30 July 2013

The media is lately trying to attempt catch up with online genre by sponsoring debates on the Hot

economic issues, which seem to be in season amongst host of other sundry issues in electorally poised

India. While this is welcome, however the commercial nature of such discussions needs to be

highlighted, so that at least the learned audience is aware of its pitfalls.

On the face of it, the Television prime time journalists seem to be making enough effort by debating

issues with not only with politicians of the ruling regime as well as principal opposition including those

from sundry political outfits where required; but also includes some independent experts sprinkling

doses criticism as well as some representatives of public voicing independent opinion. The format of

such debate may seem an ideal platform but for the pitfall, that a congregation of dumb charades

gloating over issues cannot help formulation of public opinion or take forward an already Red Hot

discussion.

While the independent economist and public are excited to show off their intellectual masturbation in

public to ignore the lopsided silo-ed discussion is understood but even political opposition including the

principal opposition party joining the chorus seems a bit nave unless the intention is to help improve

the perception of the government. The discussion is pre-fabricated turf to push the government agenda

for Food security reforms that would somehow solve the nutrition problem of the country seems too

obvious conclusion which such television dramatist are trying to conclude. The real debate which

includes the below categories is being ignored for giving a leg up for the lame duck government.

To talk about the specifics on the Food Security bill; the points of discussion can be segregated under

below heads:

1. Sanctity of numbers being presented: There are two fold aspects to this. First is the estimatesof people who lack access to food and therefore in need for such security, there entry and exit

criteria and governance of the same. The government seems totally confused about this in a bill

being presented to make an implementable Law and its recent reports have added confusion as
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private on production via fertilizer and irrigation & often subsidies, expenditure on storage

including Food Corp and other public storages, expenditure on market such as APMC and private

and public distribution through PDS. This has helped nation to be amongst leading producer of

cereals and our per capita availability is enough to meet our requirements. However such

market development activity for nutrition crops i.e. vegetable and fruits is absent or has barely

started to develop and in rudimentary state presently (in spite of the expenditure done in past

few years). In such case, is government argument is that the people would be able to solve all

this by themselves although for cereals they have not been able to do so in past 40 years since

such support programs were initiated. Or are they banking on imports being able to solve the

problem and is ok about it. What happens to the domestic economy and why do we have only

consumption drivers and no production drivers in agriculture??? Is current agriculture suffering

from a demand problem or an affordability problem or a distribution problem. The law intendsto attack only the affordability problem and brings in a system whereby state is to act as a large

procurement and distribution specialist, a task in which it has failed miserably over the years.

For some obscure reason, alternative mechanism of Direct subsidy transfer is being put in cold

storage for now.

3. Situation context in which the law is being presented: The need for the Food Security law is feltat the fag end of the term for the present government when people have openly expressed

displeasure with the policies & practices of the current dispensation. This only serves as an

additional cause for skepticism. Those who want to read more about this, can go through the

article attached.

Governance in India, a diminishing marginal Utility or on Scribd or ManagementParadise.com for which the link is attached.

http://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-

marginal-utility-or

4. Global context in which the law is being presented: The law is being presented in a phase ofglobal gloom when no grand driver to move forward productivity & growth in economy is being

seen. While most governments seem to be rethinking subsidies especially in Europe under the

weight of IMF/European Bank, in India we seem comfortable piling on a Law for committed
http://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-marginal-utility-orhttp://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-marginal-utility-orhttp://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-marginal-utility-orhttp://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-marginal-utility-orhttp://www.managementparadise.com/article/4892/governance-in-india-a-diminishing-marginal-utility-or


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economic debate on tele-media: commercial treatment of food security discussion

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