Ad for Food Commission recruitment raises questions

Bhubaneswar: A notification inviting application for the yet-to-be-constituted Food Commission in the state has raised a question whether it violates the guidelines issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). While the guidelines require appointment of one chairman and 5 members including a member-secretary, the notification published by the State government has invited applications for 2 members and the chairperson.

According to Braja Kishore Mishra, the Supreme Court appointed member of the Food Commission, the setting up of the Commission has already been delayed. Without the required manpower strength, it would create bottlenecks in tackling the problems faced by the beneficiaries.

“An important question here is whether the rest of the members will be appointed or not. Moreover, there is no clarity on whether it will have representation from women and tribal/dalit communities. The functioning of a district grievance redressal officer is also important. If such confusions are not cleared upfront, it will create a lot of problems going forward,” said Mishra talking to OTV.

“Currently, the State government has decided to appoint two members and a chairperson. A search committee has been constituted comprising the Chief Secretary, Development Secretary and the Food Secretary, which will short list candidates and recommend names for the rest vacant positions,” said Food Supplies secretary Madhusudan Padhi.

As per the guidelines, an IAS officer with experience in the fields of food security, policy formulation, agriculture, food supplies, and health is eligible to apply for the membership and chairperson's post of the Food Commission. Moreover, as per the notification of the State government the desired person should be an eminent figure in public life with wide knowledge and experience in agriculture, law, human rights, food, nutrition and social service.