While extreme poverty has declined considerably in India, access to healthy food still remains a luxury. Discuss the reasons for poor access to healthy food and suggest measures to overcome the same. (Answer in 250 words)

In India, poverty rates have declined from 55%. In 1950s to 23%. In 2015.

[Reasons for poor access to healthy food]

⇒ (1) Rising of new non-poor who have less resources.

EX Middle income group growth.

⇒ (2) Adulteration of foods.

⇒ (3) Global healthy food practices are not practiced.

EX Violation of food safety rules.

⇒ (4) Globalization effect.

EX Rise of obesity due to junk food.

⇒ (5) Poor performance of agriculture affecting the grain quantity.

EX Erratic monsoon in 2023 affected pulses.

⇒ (6) Rise of hunger.

EX Global Hunger Index - India ranked III out of 125 countries (severe category).

⇒ (7) PDS distribution leakages.

EX Hoarding of grains.

⇒ (8) Errors of inclusion and exclusion in schemes.

⇒ (9) Rise of inflation due to economic and global hardships.

⇒ (10) The standard of living hasn't improved.

EX Growth of slums.

[Measures required]

⇒ (1) Better implementation of DBT schemes.

EX PM HISAN.

⇒ (2) Employment generation.

EX According to PLFS, 8.4% is the unemployment rate.

⇒ (3) Diverse food grains to be included in the nation.

⇒ (4) Universal access.

EX One Nation-One Ration card scheme.

⇒ (5) Better governance measures to boost transparency.

Universal Basic Income rollout can be considered as a pilot project in few areas. It's impact can be assessed on the poverty rates.