Discussions on Food Security Bill continues, Rahul Gandhi to meet Congress state chiefs

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will meet the party's state chiefs today to discuss the Food Security Bill, considered a centerpiece of the ruling Congress Party's plan to win a third term during the 2014 elections.

Fourteen Congress-led states are expected to roll out the UPA's food security scheme from August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Party president Sonia Gandhi had held consultations with chief ministers of all Congress-ruled states on July 13, where she asked them to efficiently implement the food security scheme in "letter and spirit."

The ordinance on the Food Security Bill was signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on July 5, with the aim of providing food grains every month to two-thirds of the nation's population at highly subsidized rates.

Political parties have sharply criticized the promulgation of the ordinance, calling it undemocratic and demanding that the Food Security Bill should be debated in both Houses before being passed.

The bill aims to provide 5 Kg of food grains per person per month at a subsidized rate from the State Governments under the targeted public distribution system. It is set to be the largest food welfare scheme in the world.