Even as the Government is trying hard to get the Food Security Bill passed in Parliament, its constituent, NCP led by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, is putting hurdles to the Congress’ efforts by opposing any short cut route for passage of the Bill.
Pawar, who had earlier expressed reservations on the Bill by writing letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, met leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader Ananth Kumar, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and some other leaders to discuss the fate of the crucial legislation in view of the continued disruption in Parliament over the Opposition’s demand for resignation of law Minister Ashwani Kumar and Rail Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. He has also conveyed to the PM that though the NCP is with the Government, but it wanted that the Bill should be passed only after due deliberations.
Congress spokesman Sandeep Dikshit tried to play down these meetings saying that Pawar agreed that the stage of opposing the Bill has gone and hinted that he (Pawar) was acting as a mediator for the Government, but NCP sources had a different take on the issue. They said that though the Agriculture Minister is not against the Bill per se, but he stood by his reservation to the Bill.
Pawar’s insistence for a detailed discussion also suits the Opposition as they are also against the Bill being passed in the din. The Opposition is set to move a slew of amendment for universal access under the programme.
Earlier, Pawar in a letter to PM had asked for direct cash transfer to target groups instead of cereals and foodgrain. The move will help in avoiding a heavy and costly burden on State agencies involving in procurement, storage, movement and distribution of foodgrain, he had pointed out.
He had also said that agricultural production is the most important component of food security and that the planned allocation for agricultural production is insufficient.