'Though the public distribution system has achieved something quite considerable, it still merited a depth of probe on effective were the distribution networks. There is a general perception that if the supply of food has been ensured, then the poor do not need the employment guarantee scheme. But the way of getting to all is through diverse necessities (addressing all their needs),' Sen said.

The economist's West Bengal-based organisation, Pratichi Trust, working in food security and education sectors across the country, is currently studying facilities under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and how it applies to children under below six years of age in six districts of West Bengal.

'We have studied the ICDS scheme in some areas of West Bengal and a few tribal districts of Jharkhand and found a number of defects. As an economist, I would be very happy if these flaws could be removed. There is need for a multiplicity of delivery system and NGOs have a very important role to play in universalising the ICDS system so that it reached everyone,' Sen said.

Commenting on the mid-day meal scheme, Sen said: 'What Europe introduced in the 19th century, India was getting it 200 years later.

'Lot of relatively richer kids in India complain that they don't want to eat with the poor kids in schools for they can get food in their tiffin carriers. The media in this country is obsessed with the rich kids. Consequently, the quality of food gets more importance than the fact that the scheme is getting to some people. We have to defend the mid-day meal schemes so that the poorest schools do not lose the grants and benefits they have,' Sen, who teaches at Harvard University in US, said.

'It was easier to teach children in a full stomach than hungry children who could not concentrate and had short attention spans.'

The discussion was hosted by an umbrella of non-profit groups campaigning for the right to food.