Cong launches fresh efforts to evolve consensus on Food Bill

Congress has launched fresh efforts to evolve a political consensus with allies and opposition on its ambitious Food Security Bill and a special session of Parliament is likely to be held to pass the legislation.
At a more than three-hour-long meeting of the Congress Core Group chaired by AICC president Sonia Gandhi along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it was decided that Union Minister Kamal Nath will speak to other political parties and if they agree, a special session may be convened to take up the Bill.
The Food Security Bill -- a pet project of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi -- aims to give legal rights to 67 per cent of the population over a uniform quantity of 5 kg foodgrains at a fixed price of Rs 1-3 per kg via ration shops.

The meeting took place a day after the Prime Minister accused the Opposition of playing "obstructionist" role in Parliament and made a fresh appeal to the political parties to help the government clear important legislation.
Party sources said efforts are on to hold an all-party meeting by June 7 to forge consensus on the Bill.
A meeting of the UPA coordination committee has been scheduled on Monday while an all-party meet is likely to be held by June 7 for evolving a consensus on the Bill.

Sources in the party and the government said a special session may happen if other parties agree to it. Reports earlier stated that the special session could be held from July 1 to 5.

The Bill could not be passed in the Budget session that came to an end last month due to disruptions with BJP demanding resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Coalgate scam.
The UPA coordination meeting will also provide an opportunity to the Congress top brass to understand the mind of the allies on the Food Security bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.