EGoM may discuss food security Bill on Monday

An empowered group of ministers (EGoM) is likely to meet on Monday to discuss issues related to the proposed food security Bill.

Official sources said now that the views of both the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) and the draft prepared by the food ministry were known, the EGoM would try to reconcile whatever differences existed.

The NAC has favoured legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrain for 90 per cent of rural population and 50 per cent of urban population, while the food ministry is believed to have favoured lowering of the legal coverage for rural families.

Food Minister K V Thomas had earlier said he was keen to present the Bill in the coming monsoon session of Parliament. The officials said the issue of opening up grain exports after a gap of more than three years could also figure in the meeting. The ministry does not seem averse to allowing limited quantities of grain exports because of high stocks.

India was believed to have food stocks of around 65 million tonnes (mt) in early June, while the storage capacities with the Food Corporation of India and its affiliates are estimated to be around 63 mt. “At least three-four million tonnes of grain can be easily exported which won’t have any impact on the retail market,” the officials said.

However, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had recently said export of grain should be allowed only after taking into account requirements under the proposed bill. The officials said India needed to raise its annual grain procurement to almost 65-70 mt from 55-60 mt.