Ordinance on food bill shows contempt for Parliament: CPI-M

Says the ordinance does not provide for a universal public distribution system besides other deficiencies

The CPI-M Thursday slammed the government for adopting the ordinance route for the Food Security Bill, saying the move showed contempt for parliament and was anti-democratic.

"The ordinance route shows contempt for parliament and is anti-democratic," the Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo said in a statement.

It added that the central government should have given utmost priority to the bill, however, it failed to bring in a proper legislation for nearly four years for the consideration of parliament.

The CPI-M expressed strong disagreement with the government over "the insincere manner" in which the food security legislation was handled.

The party said the law sought to be promulgated by ordinance does not provide for a universal public distribution system besides other deficiencies.

"The CPI-M will raise these objections and push for amendments to the bill when it comes up in parliament," the statement said.

The union cabinet Wednesday approved a proposal to promulgate an ordinance on the national food security bill that seeks to give legal right to 67% of the country's population over subsidized foodgrains.