Correct Option
The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.
Explanation
Food insecurity in urban areas is intrinsically linked to the nature of employment and income stability. Unlike rural areas where landlessness is a primary determinant, urban poverty and food insecurity are driven by the lack of regular, well-paid employment, forcing individuals into the informal sector where wages are low and social security is absent.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Individuals employed in ill-paid occupations (such as rag-picking, street vending, or low-end service jobs) often earn wages that are insufficient to meet the minimum nutritional requirements for their families. Their income is often below the poverty line, making them chronically food insecure.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Casual labourers constitute a significant portion of the urban poor. Their employment is characterized by irregularity, seasonality, and a lack of job security. On days without work, they lack the purchasing power to buy food, making them highly vulnerable to transient and chronic food insecurity.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Government employees generally benefit from secure tenure, regular salaries, and inflation-adjusted allowances (such as Dearness Allowance). They typically earn well above the poverty line and have access to social safety nets, placing them outside the category of food-insecure families.
Key Takeaway:
Urban food insecurity is predominantly a consequence of casualization of labour and low wages in the unorganized sector, which restricts the economic access to food.