Aim is to make foodgrains available at cheaper price: Soni

The food bill is on Congress' priority list as it aims for inclusive growth taking along all sections of the society, party leader Ambika Soni today said.
"Our priority is for all sections of the society in the country. We have to take into consideration of their economic condition," she told reporters outside Parliament when asked about the Food Security Bill issue.
Pitching for inclusive growth, she said "Our policy cannot be oriented for only a few people. It has to be for more and more sections of the society. The priority is to make available foodgrains at cheaper price for maximum people."

Asked whether prevailing financial condition is conducive for such step, she said, "Finance Minister has said the fund required for the scheme in the first year is already been kept with the government."
Defending the bill, she said, "Economic slowdown should not be linked to it because the required fund is already earmarked and has been kept for it."
On the economic scenario, she said, "Government has taken many concrete steps to improve the economic situation.

"I have full faith in the system. In 2008-09 when there was an economic slowdown in the world, Indian economy stood apart at that time. I have full faith that we will come out... For some time there may be some problem because the international situation also affects our situation."

Coming out in support of the food bill, another Rajya Sabha MP R C Khuntia said, "May be it will be a bit difficult for the government but the fact is that 65 per cent population will gain. I think there should not be any hesitation on the part of any MP to support it. Government will definite see that the bill is through."
The MP from Odisha further said, "Food Security Bill is a unique bill not only in India but in the whole world as it aims to feed around 60 per cent of total population in the country. There should not be any problem for the funds required for it."

Asked about its financial burden on the government given the prevailing economy crisis, Khuntia said the requirement is more than Rs 1 lakh crore and the government is already spending 50 per cent of it in schemes for the subsidised rice for the people below poverty line and in the Antordaya scheme.