Press Conference On Food Campaign

Right To Food And Work Campaign - West Bengal

Invitation For Press Conference

In The War Against Hunger, Announcing the Tala Kholo Abhijan

Empty stomachs with sub-Saharan rates of child malnutrition and overflowing godowns with rotting foodgrains stored in the open epitomise the situation of hunger in our country. In West Bengal, we have the added problem of a new Government which seems unable to stem the continuing rot in the Public Distribution System (PDS). While the Minister announces increased rates of allocations for cardholders, little reaches the actual beneficiary. The ration dealers and a corrupt PDS continue to flourish. 

In this context, the National Food Security Bill 2011, which is now lying with the Parliamentary Standing Committee, is a very inadequate piece of legislation in its present form. Many mass organisations, trade unions and NGOs have been creating public awareness on this issue and have been struggling for food entitlements for the hungry. More than 30 such organisations have come together to launch a month long campaign called the Tala Kholo Abhijan (Open the locks drive).

These organisations are organising a Press Conference to launch this campaign on June 26 at 3 p.m.  at Kolkata Press Club. The Press Conference will be addressed by representatives from various districts. Also present will be eminent scientist Meher Engineer, retired Special Secretary, Midday Meal Scheme, Government of West Bengal, Mr Pallabh Goswami, and West Bengal Advisor to the Supreme Court, Anuradha Talwar.

Saradindu Biswas

On behalf of the Right to Food and Work Campaign, West Bengal