BJP seeks debate on food security Bill to plug 'loopholes'

Saffron party also accuses UPA govt of forcing NCTC on states

BJP today asked UPA government to debate on Food Security Bill in and outside Parliament to plug loopholes in the draft of the proposed legislation.

"UPA government should not take the route of ordinance to legislate on the food security bill and let a thorough discussion take place in Parliament and in public domain so that various loopholes in the draft legislation can be ironed out," BJP national general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here.

Stating that BJP supported the food security bill in principle, Rudy said that his party would not like the proposed legislation to have the "shortcomings" of MNREGA.

He claimed that despite the Centre's endeavour to generate 100 days mandatory employment for the rural people, the scheme suffered from effective implementation and auditing and the intended people did not receive full benefit.

Rudy said UPA government should prepone the Monsoon session of Parliament to discuss and enact the bill.

On the Naxal problem, the BJP leader accused the UPA government of forcing the National Counter Terrorism Centre on states and said the federal autonomy of the states should not be violated at any cost.

Stating that Naxals was a national problem spread over 85 districts of 12 states, he said the Centre should frame strong law to eradicate it, but seek consensus of the states on such legislation, he said.

Expressing concern at rising incidents of Maoist violence particularly the death of 28 people in Chhatisgarh recently, Rudy asked the Centre to take strong measures to deal with the menace while affected states would assist it in doing so.

The senior BJP leader, at the same time, charged the UPA government with playing politics and questioned its policies and intention behind trying to 'force' the NCTC on the states.