Sikkim Reconstitutes State Food Commission to Strengthen National Food Security Act Implementation

The Government of Sikkim, through its Food Civil Supplies Consumer Affairs Department, issued Notification No. 816/FCSCA on January 13, 2018, formally reconstituting the Sikkim Food Commission. This significant administrative action, published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 48 on February 1, 2018, came into force upon its publication. The notification superseded a previous instrument, Notification No. 1167/FCSCA dated January 20, 2015, which had been published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 25 on February 4, 2015, indicating a refinement and update of the state's food security oversight mechanism. The primary impetus for this re-constitution stemmed from directives issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P(C) No. 857/2015, titled Swaraj Abhiyan versus Union of India, through its order dated February 1, 2016. The State Government deemed it expedient to re-establish the Commission to enhance the monitoring and review of the implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013, within Sikkim.

The newly constituted Sikkim Food Commission comprises a Chairperson, five Members, and a Member Secretary. Mr. M.G. Kiran, a former Principal Secretary, was appointed as the Chairperson. The Members include Mrs. Saraswati Chettri, Mrs. Dawa Jambu Sherpa, Mrs. Poonam Tamang, Ms. Bichitra Thapa, and Ms. Ranjana Lamichaney, with Mr. Pintso N. Bhutia, Joint Director, FCSCA, serving as the Member Secretary. The legislation provided: “In pursuance of the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P(C) No. 857/2015 (Swaraj Abhiyan versus Union of India) vide its order dated 01/02/2016; the State Government has deemed it expedient to re-constitute the State Food Commission in the state of Sikkim for the purpose of monitoring and review of implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013.” This re-constitution, exercised under the powers conferred by Section 16 of the National Food Security Act, 2013, aims to ensure that the provisions of the central legislation are effectively translated into tangible benefits for the citizens of Sikkim.

The legislative intent behind establishing and re-constituting the Sikkim Food Commission is to create a robust oversight body dedicated to the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). The NFSA is a landmark legislation that aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices. The Commission's terms of reference delineate its critical functions, which include monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the NFSA, 2013, and inquiring into violations of entitlements provided under the Act, either suo motu (on its own motion) or upon receipt of a complaint. Furthermore, the Commission is mandated to advise the State Government, its agencies, autonomous bodies, and non-governmental organisations involved in service delivery on the effective implementation of food and nutrition-related schemes. This advisory role is crucial for enabling individuals to fully access their entitlements as specified in the Act. A key enforcement mechanism for grievance redressal is the Commission's power to hear appeals against orders issued by the District Grievance Redressal Officer. To ensure accountability and transparency, the Commission is also required to prepare annual reports, which the State Government will subsequently lay before the State Legislature. The Chairperson and every other member of the Commission are appointed for a term not exceeding five years from their date of entry into office and are eligible for reappointment, with a statutory age limit stipulating that no person shall hold office after attaining the age of 65 years. This framework is designed to address any statutory gaps or limitations in the previous oversight mechanisms and to strengthen the delivery of food security benefits across the state.

Keywords: Sikkim Food Commission, National Food Security Act, Food Security, Sikkim Government, Food Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, State Food Commission, Swaraj Abhiyan, Supreme Court directives, Public Distribution System

Geo Tags: India, Sikkim District: Not Applicable