SP rules out support to Food Security Bill in its present form

As the war of words continued between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress over the suspension of Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, the UPA ally ruled out support to the Food Security Ordinance in its present form and said that the party would oppose the government in the Monsoon session.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal described the bill as 'anti-farmers' and said that his party would not support it.

"This food security bill is completely anti-farmers and if it is implemented farmers would have to sell their produce at a lower price in the market. This will lead the farmers into committing suicide," he said.

"In the current shape the Samajwadi Party will not accept this Bill, we consider it as anti-farmers and if need be we will vote against it," he added.

However, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy on Monday said that he would not like to comment on the statement made by an individual leader and expressed confidence that the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) would support the ordinance on Food Security Bill.

"I would not like to comment on statement made by an individual leader. The government earlier had talks with the Samajwadi Party leader. So, I am confident that the Samajwadi Party will stand with us and help in the passage of the Food Security Bill," Narayanasamy said here today.

The Samajwadi Party's opposition has intensified following Congress President Sonia Gandhi's letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh asking him to ensure that the suspended bureaucrat is treated fairly.

The Congress Party yesterday hit out at the Samajwadi Party for attacking Sonia Gandhi for her support to Durga Shakti Nagpal, and said the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh is trying to hide what is essentially a case of corruption and illegal mining.

Before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had appealed to the opposition parties for their cooperation during the Session and deemed the Food Security ordinance the "most important" ordinance that the Parliament has on its hands.

The Food Security Ordinance is among several important bills to be taken up for discussion and passage in the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning today.

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.

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 through the State Governments under the targeted public distribution system. It is set to be the largest food welfare scheme in the world.