The National Food Security Bill, 2011, does not seem to have found favour with pressure groups. Even before the Lok Sabha could clear the bill, various people’s organisations in Bihar have rejected the statute forthright.

Addressing a news meet on Thursday, representatives of the organisations said they would be united under the banner of Bhojan ka Adhikar Abhiyan and launch a nationwide protest against the bill from April 3 to April 6.

They alleged that the bill had many loopholes and required basic amendments.

According to them, the National Advisory Council had made the bill and the central government later made some changes. It has to be cleared and is at present with the parliamentary standing committee. “After the amendments, the bill cannot be called Food Security Bill because it would in no way eradicate the problem of starvation and malnutrition,” one of the representatives said. Rupesh, a member of the Bhojan ka Adhikar Abhiyan, said: “The National Food Security Bill, 2011 does not satisfy needs of food security. That Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said more than 50 per cent children are malnourished is a matter of shame. Unless problems of starvation and malnutrition are eradicated, foodgrain should not be exported.”

He added: “We also oppose the cash transfer policy. Every individual should be ensured food. Reforms in the bill should be made in such a way that people under the BPL category are identified and the real needy get benefits. Children, women and people with different abilities should get the benefits.”