The Food Security Bill, with over 250 amendments, is likely to be placed before Parliament between March 19 and 21, food rights activists said on Tuesday, quoting Food Minister K.V. Thomas.
However, the Bill would come up for discussion only when Parliament reopens after April 22 for 20 days, the steering committee of the Right to Food Campaign said it was told by Thomas, at a February 25 meeting.
The UPA Government is keen on pushing the Bill through before the 2014 general elections.
Addressing a press conference at a dharna to “reject the National Food Security Bill” in its present form, Kavita Srivastava, National Coordinator of the Campaign, said they were meeting MPs from all political parties to ensure that a reworked Bill that “entitles a universal PDS which guarantees foodgrains, oil and pulses, addresses the issues of increased food production in a sustainable manner, decentralises the procurement etc,” was put in place.
Flaying the Standing Committee’s recommendations, she said the Food Bill undermined the core issues of food security, especially of children and pregnant and lactating women by not guaranteeing ICDS services provided through Anganwadi centres.
“The provision of only 5 kg of grain per person per month through rations, is only half of what is required on an average in a month according to the ICMR norms,” Srivastava said, adding that the Chhattisgarh model was worth emulating, especially with regard to the exclusion criteria.
The campaign is planning action in States that includes meeting Chief Ministers, chief secretaries, district collectors etc. A consultation is also planned with MPs on the Bill.