Maintaining that the opposition parties were speaking in different voices on the food security measure, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today expressed the hope that they would help ensure its passage in the coming session of Parliament.

Rejecting criticism that the ordinance was brought in a hurry, he said there was no question of taking political mileage on the issue.

“We have consulted opposition parties on Food Security ordinance. Especially principal opposition party (BJP) is not able to speak in one voice. They have responded in different language. Therefore, the government came out with an ordinance which will be tabled in Parliament. I hope it would be the first item in the Monsoon Session and all political parties who believe that people of India deserve food security will pass it,” he said.

“We should have passed the bill in the last Parliament session. Opposition is giving vague and mixed responses and reactions on it”, Chidambaram, who was accompanied by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, told reporters.

On opposition charge that government was taking political mileage out of it, the Finance Minister asked, “What is political mileage out of it...take a walk around...you will find lower class, poor class, BPL those who are hungry and malnourished...this is to be addressed now.

“Has anyone got conviction and courage to oppose this bill which is slated to come up in Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on August 5”, he said.

“Hunger and malnutrition have to be addressed in India.

I hope they (opposition) will support the bill”, he said.

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