Govt to push through Food Security bill today
June 13, 2013 09:13
The Union Cabinet is slated to take up an ordinance to push through the Food Security Bill, which is the brainchild of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday.
The constant disruptions by the Opposition in Parliament had resulted in a delay in passing the Food Security Bill so far.
The government's decision to promulgate an ordinance will make the Food Security Bill a law without taking prior approval from Parliament. This decision by the government has been strongly objected to by the opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left.
The government's calculation, however, seems different. Once an ordinance is passed, it will bring the bill on priority.
Since the ordinance is the same as the bill introduced in the Lok Sabha and already examined by a Parliamentary committee, there can be a debate straightaway.
The Food Security Bill seeks to provide food security to 75 per cent people in rural areas and 50 per cent in urban areas by providing subsidised rice at Rs 3 per kg, less than 10 per cent of current retail prices, and wheat at Rs 2 a kilo. Detractors argue the Bill excludes a large chunk of people who need food at subsidised rates and so it should be made universal.
The bill also provides for Food Security Allowance in case the government fails to give cheap food. The Opposition however says this will give a back door entry to cash transfers in Public Distribution System.
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