Rahul to discuss food ordinance with state Congress leaders

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will meet state party leaders to discuss the food security ordinance July 27, party sources said Friday.

According to the sources, Gandhi will meet the state unit chiefs of the party-ruled states and the legislative party leaders of states where the party is in opposition, to push the food ordinance, expected to be a "game changer" ahead of the five assembly polls this year and the 2014 general elections.

Food Minister K.V. Thomas is also expected to attend the meeting.

The top Congress leadership, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi discussed with party chief ministers two weeks ago the implementation of the ordinance, which aims to provide subsidised rations to around 67% of India's 1.2 billion population.

The scheme is expected to be rolled out in all Congress-ruled states on August 20, the birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Congress had sent its spokespersons across the country last week to give wider publicity to the right to food ordinance.

The government hopes to pass the ordinance in the monsoon session of parliament, starting August 5.

According to the constitutional provisions, an ordinance has to be passed within six weeks of the date of commencement of the next session of parliament.