Food Bill not passed in Parliament

Congress still launches scheme in 4 places

The Congress' "game-changer" for the 2014 polls, the National Food Security Bill, was not passed in Parliament on Tuesday, though the party launched the scheme in four places ruled by it.

Since the morning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) benches were on their feet, demanding the government answer over the missing files in the 'Coalgate' scam. They wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself to make a statement.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned repeatedly due to the disruptions, twice before noon and then till 1 pm and then again till post lunch. At 2 pm, when the Opposition benches did not relent and sloganeering continued, it was adjourned for the day.

Nonetheless, Congress President Sonia Gandhi unveiled the food scheme in Delhi (which goes to the polls later this year), coinciding with Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary. She described the Bill as "unparalleled" in the world.

At the function, Food Minister K V Thomas publicly blamed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for "delaying" the Bill.

Although the BJP had assured the Centre of its support for the Bill in Parliament, Modi had written to Thomas, demanding a meeting of all state chief ministers be called as it needed wider discussion. Congress leaders believe with Modi's growing clout within the party, the BJP was now dragging its feet over its assurance of support. "Modi wrote to me that the bill must be discussed again. He is trying to delay the Bill, trying to deny people their rights," said Thomas.

Besides Delhi, the food scheme was also launched in Congress-ruled Haryana, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The government has also made some amendments to the ordinance, which would give state governments a year to implement various provisions of the Bill instead of the earlier six months. And, would protect their foodgrain allocation according to the last three years' offtake under the existing public distribution system.

Officials said according to the amendments proposed, children would not get 'ready-to-eat' meals under the Bill but only hot cooked or pre-cooked and heated meals. The Centre has also decided to incorporate a clause wherein it would consult the state governments while implementing major provisions of the Bill.