August 17, 2011 / 14:52 IST
The government will only be able to table the Food Security Bill in the next session of Parliament, Food Minister K V Thomas said today.
"We will be able to table the Food Security Bill only in the next Winter Session of Parliament, as consultation with state governments and various ministries is still on," Thomas told reporters here.
Addressing the nation on the occasion of India's 65th Independence Day on August 15, 2011, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said the government will soon introduce the National Food Security Act."After the rights to education, employment and information, we will soon enact a legislation for providing food security to the people," he said.Under the proposed Food Security Act, the government plans to give a legal entitlement to cheaper foodgrains to nearly 70% of the country's population. The Bill has already been approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers.Singh had also said: "We also need to increase agricultural production to implement a food security law. We will accelerate our efforts in this direction in the 12th Plan." Thomas said the proposed Food Security Bill has incorporated the majority of the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee (NAC), headed by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.In reply to a query on the extent of the population that would be covered under the Bill, Thomas said, "We have not reached a final figure".The EGOM, which had recently approved the draft version of the Bill, had provided for subsidised grain distribution even to above the poverty line (APL) households as defined by the government.However, while the NAC had recommended coverage of 90% of the population under the Act, the EGoM suggested that only 75% of rural families should be included in its ambit. 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!
