Law Min to vet draft food security bill after EGoM nod

The draft bill of the proposed National Food Security Act prepared by the Food Ministry, which aims to provide a legal right on subsidised foodgrains to the poor, will be vetted by the Law Ministry before being submitted to the Cabinet, reports CNBC-TV18's Aakansha Sethi quoting sources.

The draft bill has already been approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) today with modifications. The proposals will cost the government nearly Rs 1,00,000 crore annually. Sources say the bill is likely to be introduced in monsoon session. It will be sent to Law Ministry for inspection and to the panel of state CMs for inputs. It is also learnt that Rs 94,987 crore of annual subsidy burden is envisaged. There is also annual grain requirement of 61 million tonne. The bill provides legal entitlement of food for 75% of rural households and 50% of urban households. CNBC-TV18 learns that the bill will also cover nearly half of all households that fall in the below poverty line (BPL) category. Also watch the accompanying video. Did you miss? EGoM to discuss cap on subsidised LPG cylinder on July 12