KATHMANDU, Aug 24: The government has proposed to distribute Food Support Identity Card to people vulnerable to food insecurity. 

A new bill registered by the government in parliament last week to ensure food security and food sovereignty includes a provision to issue such identification cards to people who are at the risk of food insecurity.

According to the proposed provision, the government will first identify households under the risk of food insecurity on the basis of factors like rural or urban poverty, remoteness, disaster or any other reasons. Local governments will issue identification cards to such households.

The new bill comes in line with the constitutional provision that puts right to food as one of the fundamental rights of the citizens. According to the Constitution of Nepal, every citizen shall have the right relating to food, right to be safe from the state of being in danger of life from the scarcity of food, and right to food sovereignty in accordance with law. Necessary laws to ensure these fundamental rights should be enacted by September 20, according to the constitutional requirement.

While the bill is not clear about the purpose of such identity cards, government officials say that the cardholders would be entitled to various food subsidy, coupon or discount from the government. The card will be provided to the eldest female member of any eligible household, according to a proposed provision in the bill. “If there is no female member above the age of 18, the card should be provided to the eldest member of the family. Once the household gets its female member above the age of 18, the card will be issued under her name, the new bill proposes,” reads the bill.

Though the food security situation has largely improved in Nepal, 20 percent of households are mildly food insecure, 22 percent are moderately food insecure and 10 percent are severely food insecure, according to the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey.

The federal government, provincial government or local government would supply food to these households holding food support identity card at subsidized price or free of cost, read a clause of the bill. “However, the government shall provide food free of cost or at subsidized rate to the people in any area when there is any natural disaster or emergency,” reads the bill. Such food has to be supplied through the local units.

The modality and quantity of free or subsidized food support could be reviewed at times by the central government, provincial government and local units on the basis of immediate need of any areas or families under the food insecurity risk, geographical condition, and traditional and cultural acceptance, the bill states.

According to the bill, the government can declare any part of the country as food emergency area in the event of earthquake, drought, flood, fire or any other catastrophes. However, the arrangements of food security and nutrition security will be in accordance to related bylaws and regulations.

 
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