Prof K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, on Friday said that the Union Government will try to address the concerns expressed by the States over the proposed National Food Security Bill.
The draft National Food Security Bill seeks to provide a legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrains to 75 per cent of the country's rural population and 50 per cent of urban India.
The Union Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to make provisions for the Food Security Bill in the Budget for 2012-13 to be presented on March 16.
The Bill is currently being considered by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
States have raised their concerns on the Bill on various issues including flexibility on quantity of foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and the sharing of costs involved, Prof Thomas said.
“The State governments have raised about ten points regarding the Food Security Bill and many of them can be discussed and solved. States' concern regarding the need for flexibility of distribution of foodgrains under TPDS on weekly and monthly basis, for instance, is something on which we have no objection. The issue of cost should be prescribed in consultation with the States,” he said.
The standing committee is in the process of discussion with the States. “The final shape of the bill will come up after consultation with the State,” he added.