We are in the tenth year of implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and in the 76th year of Indian Independence. But we are still tackled with issues like hunger and malnutrition. The country has secured 107th position of 121 countries and falls in the serious category as per the Global Hunger Index released on 13th October 2022. What needs to be done to tackle hunger and malnutrition? It is clear that having a legislation and schemes in place is not sufficient. There needs to be a robust implementation and monitoring mechanism in place to ensure that the intent of the law is achieved.
State Food Commissions play a critical role in this direction. They have the authority of a civil court and have powers to monitor the implementation of the Act. CCL NLSIU organized a National Consultation by bringing together State Food Commissions from 8 states to interact, share their experiences, voice the challenges they face and discuss on the possible solutions to address the same. The consultation also put forth recommendations by CCL NLSIU on law, rules and policies.
The study report by CCL titled “Food Insecurities and State Response: NFSA Progress Report” which analyzes the status of implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 in 12 states was released during the consultation.
CCL had the honor of being invited to attend the Juvenile Justice committee meeting at the High Court of Karnataka. The committee was presided over by eminent judges – Hon’ble Justice Smt. KS Mudagal (Chairperson); Hon’ble Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav; Hon’ble Justice M. Nagaprasanna; Hon’ble Justice M.G Uma along with the Registrar General and the other Heads of Departments. The High Court committee for Juvenile Justice has been instituted to regularly monitor the workings of the JJ system. The Agenda of the meeting included issues raised in the previous committee meeting and how effectively they have been addressed, capacity building for stakeholders and training for the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) on how to deal with children in conflict with law.
Amaidhi Devaraj, from CCL presented the scope of the centre’s work at the committee meeting. The committee promised to support CCL’s endeavors, especially with regard to our capacity building efforts for stakeholders in the JJ system. As a follow-up to this meeting, CCL is working in collaboration with the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) and the Judicial Academy to build capacities of the empaneled lawyers, the Juvenile Justice Boards and the Child Welfare Committees to ensure children in conflict with law are provided with comprehensive care and all children are being preserved and protected.
