The Government will only be able to table the crucial Food Security Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament, the Food Minister, Mr K.V. Thomas, has said.
“We will be able to table the Food Security Bill only in the Winter Session of Parliament, as consultation with state governments and various ministries is still on,” Mr Thomas told reporters here today.
The Bill, under which the Government plans to give a legal entitlement to cheaper foodgrains to nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population, was expected to be tabled in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Giving details, the Minister said the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) and the Law Ministry have already approved the draft of the Bill. They have maintained the core of the draft of the proposed Bill.
The draft bill was sent to state governments for their opinion last Friday, he said, adding that the process will take at least 15 days.
After that, the Prime Minister will call a meeting of the Chief Ministers to give final shape to the Bill, which would be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament.
Mr Thomas said the proposed Food Security Bill has incorporated the majority of the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee headed by the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi.
In reply to a query on the extent of the population that would be covered under the Bill, he said: “We have not reached a final figure.’’