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The article “Food for thought and action” (Business Line, May 13) made for interesting reading. I agree that those States which produce more and procure less but lift substantial volume for PDS need to think whether such self-aggrandising would be proper over the long haul for the overall good of the country.

There are also States that thoroughly neglect food production, with little contribution towards procurement but demanding more and more food supply under the PDS. Some States do not assume responsibility for agricultural growth and expansion and it has become a habit for them to go on making claims and demands for larger quantities of food articles under the PDS.

While what the author has stated — that is, procuring more and demanding more is bad — the second case pointed out, which is producing less with less scope for larger procurement while still claiming more, is worse. All States must assume responsibility for agricultural expansion and augmentation of food production as also for procurement of larger quantities of food-grains.

They must put in place proper system of planning in this regard. At the time of floods and other natural calamities, if States demand more it is justifiable. But in normal circumstances there is no justification for ever-increasing claims from shrinking stocks.

Therefore, all States must adopt programmes for expansion of capacities in the farm sector and for increased production of food articles.

They should have long-range and medium-term plans to meet this objective, and short-term plans and programmes for procurement of adequately larger quantities of food-grains.

K. K. Ammannaya Udupi

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