Food Bill likely to be sent for Cabinet approval by Nov 20

United Progressive Alliance-II’s much-touted National Food Security Bill could finally be presented in the Parliament during the upcoming winter session as the consultation process of the government with states and all other stakeholders is almost over.

Food minister K V Thomas on Monday said the draft food security Bill is likely to be sent to the Cabinet before November 20 as responses from all but state has been received, while consultation with all other stakeholders is nearing completion.

Last Saturday,Thomas had discussed the National Food Security legislation with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The proposed Bill aims to provide the right to subsidised foodgrains to nearly 70 per cent of the country's population.

The changes suggested include simultaneous roll-out of the provisions in the Bill for both priority and general category households, not limiting the legal entitlement for grains to seven kilograms per person per month for priority category and inclusion of a provision to supply cheap grains to pregnant women and lactating mothers, will also be incorporated in the revised draft.

However, officials said no change has been made in the coverage under the bill and it will remain as per draft which has put up in the food ministry’s website.

"There is no change in the coverage and the food bill will provide cheap cheap grains to 75 per cent of rural population of which 46 per cent will belong to the priority category, while it will cover 50 per cent of urban population of which 28 per cent will be priority as has been circulated in the draft," a senior food ministry official said.

Earlier, the Bill, which was expected to be tabled in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, was deferred for detailed consultations with the state governments. The draft bill has already been cleared by the empowered Group of Ministers (eGoM) headed by Pranab Mukherjee.