Food Security Bill unlikely in Budget Session

Food Minister K V Thomas today ruled out clearance of Food Security Bill in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament saying consultations are still on to sort out problems raised by states and that it can be taken up only in the next Monsoon session.

"How can it come in the Budget session...Parliamentary Standing Committee is yet to submit its report," Thomas said on the sidelines of a function of Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry here.

National Food Security Bill, 2011, which was introduced in Lok Sabha by Thomas at the fag end of Winter session was expected to come up discussion and passage in the Budget session.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food to which the Bill was referred after introduction is yet to vet the proposed legislation that promises subsidised food security to over 63 per cent of the country's population, he said.

Thomas said consultations are on to sort out problems raised by states on the important legislation and the Bill in all likelihood would come in Parliament for approval in the next Monsoon session.

The minister said he is in regular consultation with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the scheme which is considered as her pet project.

West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and some other states have pointed out to problems in implementation of the programme.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has also in the past expressed worry over procurement of foodgrains for the scheme.