Mayawati supports UPA's Food Security Bill, in principle

Lending indirect support to the Food Security Bill, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said on Saturday that she supports the legislation in 'principle', but is not in favour of the Centre's decision of bringing the scheme into effect through an ordinance.

"We are in favour of the food security bill in principle. We are not against it. Poor people should get food at subsidized rates. But the manner in which it has been brought through an ordinance, which is not right. Had the government brought the bill in Parliament and a debate would have happened, then it would have been better," she told media here today.

Earlier, Mayawati had termed the food security ordinance of the Congress-led UPA government as an "election gimmick and said that such populist laws would not benefit the people.

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