Food security ordinance‘s urgency indicates early polls?
The Cabinet has cleared the rather controversial Food Security ordinance on Wednesday. The question to be asked here is how does the government plan to fund this project. Food Minister KV Thomas said that the Cabinet unanimously approved the ordinance and it has been sent to the President for his approval.
July 04, 2013 / 14:38 IST
The Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the contentious Food Security ordinance despite resistance from the Opposition and UPA allies. The big question now is as to how the government will fund the ambitious project.
After a spell of indecision, the cabinet finally cleared the ordinance on Right to Food, immediately sending it to the President for his assent. "The Cabinet unanimously approved the ordinance and it has been sent to the President for approval," said Food Minister KV Thomas. Also Read: Will not have alliance with Cong for LS polls: DMKOnce it becomes a law, it will guarantee 5 kg rice, wheat or millet per person at Rs 3, 2 and 1 respective to 67 percent of the population. The food law will cost Rs 1,24,000 crore and cover 67 percent of the country's 1.2 billion people. The price of the subsidised grain will be reviewed every three years.
"This bill is for the poor people. We have been forced to go in for an ordinance," said Congress leader Ajay Maken.
There is a long road to be travelled for the Food Bill to work on the ground. New beneficiaries have to be identified, new ration cards have to be given, grievance redress officers have to be appointed, state food commissions have to be set up and all this is not going to happen in the next couple of months. Clearly, the government wanted to send the signal that it is committed to its manifesto promise.
The government gave up on the option of calling a Special Session of Parliament and did not wait for the Monsoon Session either. Even the opposition of ally Samajwadi Party to the ordinance did not deter the governmnet this time. It is perhaps counting on the support of the JD(U), and its former ally, the DMK.
Expectedly, the Left and the BJP cried foul. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "Monsoon Session is due in July itself and the Government has recommended Ordinance for the National Food Security Bill. This is a deliberate attempt to denigrate Parliament. Why this hurry? Are they going in for early elections?" The Congress expects this to be a game changer in the 2014 elections, but the ordinance will face its toughest test both on the ground where it must work and in Parliament where it must be passed. The urgency shown by the government has sparked speculation of early elections. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
