Shiv Sena extends unconditional support
One of the major allies of the NDA, the Shiv Sena gave an unconditional support to the Food Security Bill, unlike the BJP, which has been demanding major modifications and amendments. While supporting the Bill, Shiv Sena MP Anant Geete said Centre should assure full cooperation to the State Governments for implementation of the Bill. “We support this Bill. There is scope for improvement. If required then the coming Government will make amendments,” Geete said.
TMC to back bill if Govt deletes Sec 38
The Trinamool Congress said it will support the legislation if Government deleted Section 38, which makes State Governments equally responsible for implementing the scheme. Party MP Kalyan Banerjee expressed apprehension that Food Security Bill would be treated as a political gimmick in coming elections. He said the Centre will bring such schemes at the time of elections and the States would be compelled to bear the burden.
Protect farmers’ interest: TDP
TDP MP Nama Nageswar Rao regretted there was nothing in the Bill to protect the interest of farmers and accused the Congress of coming out with the Bill keeping forthcoming elections in States and Centre in mind.
CPM wants sugar, pulses to be included
CPI-M demanded that sugar, pulses and edible oil be included in the Bill, along with rice, wheat and coarse cereals. “Since elections are knocking at the door, the Minister is in a hurry to pass the Bill,” said party MP A Sampath, adding that leasing out FCI godowns to private parties will hamper effective distribution.
ADMK expresses reservation
Expressing reservation over the Bill, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said his party could not support it in the present form as it would impose an additional burden of Rs 3,000 crore on Tamil Nadu. The Centre, he said, should promote universal PDS so as to benefit maximum number of people and provide adequate security to the poor. Thambidurai wanted the Government to take into consideration the suggestions given by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for modifying the Food Bill.
NCP for universal coverage
Praful Patel said the Government should endeavour to give universal coverage to the Food Bill and give foodgrains to all section of poor population and not just limit it to 75 per cent of rural and 50 per cent of urban population. He said the NCP is in favour of the Bill.
BJD says no to per-capita approach
Party MP Bhartruhari Mahtab observed that the Bill should give food security to people on the basis of per-household, instead of per-capita as proposed. Mahtab said the per-capita approach would create confusion among people and lead to harassment when new members are introduced in the family. He demanded that states should be given flexibility to decide whether they want the per-capita or per-household approach.
Poll plank, says lalu
Though supporting the Bill, RJD leader lalu Prasad Yadav said it has been brought now only as an election plank. “The Government should have brought such a Bill when poor people were dying due to hunger. Now since it is here all persons below the poverty line should be included in the list of beneficiaries,” he said, raising a number of questions over the Bill. Yadav also said it would badly hurt the farmers as there was no guarantee in the provisions that all the produce would be bought by the Government.
DMK praises ‘pro-poor measure’
TR Baalu praised provisions in the pro-poor measure enacted under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He, however, said prevalence of problems like malnutrition is very high in India.