The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways or the private container operators.

Arguments in favour of food subsidies

1. Ensure National food security
2. Article 21 Right to Life and Liberty includes right to a healthy life
3. Healthy and nutritional physical existence is essential to fully realise Capability approach to development (Amartya Sen)
4. India already among the bottom 10 countries in Global Hunger Index 2021
5. NFHS-5 shows a marked decline in nutritional status, especially in children
6. Need for inclusive growth
7. The pandemic induced lockdown has further increased the need as mid-day meal became ineffective when school were shut down.

Arguments raising concerns

1. Food subsidies are a major drain on government resources
2. The schemes like mid-day schemes are ridden with loopholes
3. Same resources could be used in alternative schemes like Universal Basic Income.

Balancing the two interests and suggestions

1. Linking food subsidies with e-RUPI and JAM trinity for better targetting and offering more flexibility in dietary choices eg more protein.
2. Biofortification of crops to reduce the costs of production of same level of nutrients.
3. Investing in Research and Development in agriculture technology
4. The faster implementation of One Nation One Ration Card
5. Consider a Universal Basic Income