The proposed food security Bill may cost Rs 2 lakh crore annually for the Government. The Cabinet is expected to reconsider this Bill on Monday. The Government aims to introduce this Bill in the ongoing session of Parliament.

Earlier the annual cost was estimated at Rs 1-1.5 lakh crore, but a latest calculation by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) could show a higher outgo. The Finance Ministry allocated Rs 60,572.98 crore in the Budget for food subsidy during current financial year.

This Bill is expected to make a provision for providing not less than 7 kg of foodgrains per person per month for the priority household. It is said that 48 per cent of the all rural households and 28 per cent of all the urban households shall be designated as priority households. These families will get rice at not less than Rs 3 per kg, wheat Rs 2 per kg and coarse grains not less than Rs 1 per kg.

It is said that not less than 75 per cent of all rural households and at least 50 per cent of urban households are entitled to get foodgrains at subsidised prices. This will include priority and general households.

It is also proposed to provide not less than 3 kg of foodgrains per person per month for the general household per person per month. Pricing under this category will not exceed 50 per cent of the minimum support price for wheat, coarse grain and rice.

May prescribe guidelines

For the identification of priority and general households, the Centre is likely to prescribe guidelines. This will include exclusion criteria also. On the basis of these guidelines, State Governments will identify the households. The list of such households will be displayed in public domain.

The proposed Bill will have special provisions for pregnant women. Any unemployed pregnant woman will get maternity benefits of Rs 1,000 per month for a period of six months. Not only this, she will also get rations or nutritious and freshly cooked meals free of charge during pregnancy and six months thereafter. This food will be provided by local anganwadis.

The Bill also talks about nutritious take home rations and/or freshly cooked meals throughout the year through the local anganwadi for all children in the age group of 0-3 years. All children in the age group of 3-6 years will get freshly cooked meals in the local anganwadi for at least 300 days in a year.

>Shishir.s@thehindu.co.in

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