After repeated adjournments, the Lok Sabha is slated to take up the crucial food security Bill for discussion on Thursday, along with some amendments. But the Government is not hopeful of getting the Bill passed in this session.
A senior Minister in the Cabinet told Business Line that the Opposition was blocking the passage for political reasons.
“At the last minute, (Gujarat Chief Minister) Narendra Modi wants more discussions on the Food Bill and the BJP has gone back from its word that it will allow discussions on the Bill for pleasing Modi. Yesterday, it was missing files, tomorrow they may come up with some other issue. They are afraid of Modi’s diktat,” the Minister said.
The Minister indicated that the Food Security Ordinance will be re-promulgated with the amendments suggested by the Opposition parties.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, some Congress-led State Governments had already announced the roll-out of subsidised grains under the food security scheme.
In Delhi, the scheme was launched by UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. The Government has moved about seven amendments suggested by Opposition parties, most of which relate to doing away with cash for food, protecting the existing quantity of foodgrains to all card holders, one year for States to implement the scheme and providing hot and cooked food for children. The Government has conveyed to the CPI (M) its unwillingness to accept its amendment to make the scheme universal.
Changes suggested
In all, about 265 changes in the Bill have been proposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI (M), CPI, Samajwadi Party , Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal-United, Biju Janata Dal, Akali Dal, DMK, AIADMK and Trinamool Congress. The Government is keen to ensure early passage of the Bill as Assembly polls are due in five States soon and the general elections is due next year.
Both SP and BSP have said that they would support the Bill but wanted some of their proposals to be approved.
While some CPI (M) members sought universal coverage, some others in the party want income-taxpayers to be excluded.
Some Left and Akali Dal members want inclusion of pulses, sugar and oils besides rice, wheat and coarse grains.
The DMK wants allocation of grains to States under the existing public distribution system to continue while the AIADMK wants Tamil Nadu to be excluded from the Bill.
The Trinamool Congress wants coverage of 90 per cent of the population in rural areas and 75 per cent in urban areas.
Many members from the Left and BJP also want the Government to delete the reforms based on Aadhar.
On the Integrated Child Development Scheme, many Left and BJP members want deletion of the reference to “ready-to-eat meals” and have said that no private contractor should be engaged for it and preference should be given to women’s self-help groups for freshly cooked meals.