The MPJ has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra to implement the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order for providing the wide-ranging relief for the drought affected people. These include Mid-Day Meals during the summer vacation, an addition of egg or milk to the mid-day meal menu, the universalization of food grain ration, an adequate and timely release of funds for the MNREGA and implementation of crop loss compensation, agricultural loan restructuring and provision for cattle fodder.
As everybody knows, these orders were passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in a PIL filed by an NGO Swaraj Abhiyan. Apart from these orders, the court has also issued new guidelines for the assessment and declaration of the drought.
As per the directives issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, every household in drought affected area is entitled for the benefits available under the National Food Security Act and the current distinction between “eligible” and “non-eligible” households will also not apply. NO citizen is to be denied food-grain merely because she or he does not possess a ration card. Any alternative identification document will be accepted for the purpose.
Similar memorandums are also being submitted by the District units of the MPJ to the concerned District authorities.