Glorifying the Food Security Bill, finance minister P Chidambaram has said that it will address the problems of hunger and malnutrition. He has said that it will be the first issue to be discussed in the monsoon session of Parliament.
Claiming that almost all the states are ready to implement food security, Chidambaram said all political parties who believed that hunger and malnutrition should be addressed will support the bill. He was addressing a press conference here.
Replying to a query on the need for issuing an ordinance, Chidambaram said the same was promulgated only after consulting the opposition. He also said that the BJP was not speaking in one voice on food security.
It is noted that the ordinance on Food Security Bill was signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on July 5, with the aim of providing foodgrains every month to nation's two-third population at highly subsidized rates.
However political parties have sharply criticized the promulgation of the Ordinance, calling it undemocratic and demanding that the Food Security Bill should be debated in both Houses before being passed.
the Food Security programme when implemented will be the biggest in the world with the government spending estimated at one lakh 25 thousand crore rupees annually.
Needless to say the Food Security Bill was tabled during the Budget Session of Parliament, but could not be taken up for discussion because of opposition-led disruptions of proceedings arising out of scam-related allegations.
The Food Security Bill is aimed at giving legal rights to 67 percent of the population for a uniform quantity of 5 kg food grains at a fixed price of Rs 1-3 per kg through ration shops.
Opposition parties even some of those who are supporting UPA has opposed the haste decision of government on the Food Security Bill and demanded for the complete discussion in the parliament.
(With inputs from ANI)
|
|
Comments:
