Wary of the Samajwadi Party and BJP, the Government is considering a proposal to take the Ordinance route to ensure that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s dream project, the Food Security Bill, becomes a reality.
“There is a proposal to bring an Ordinance to enact the Food Security Bill, as then it would be obligatory on all parties to consider and pass it in Parliament, like it was done in the case of anti-rape legislation,” said a source.
The reason for the Government considering the move is that not only Opposition BJP but even the supporting Samajwadi Party being against allowing the Congress to garner electoral dividend from the Bill, which would provide
cheap foodgrain to 67 per cent of the population.
This was clear from SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav’s attack on the Congress on Wednesday. He dubbed the party a “cheat and clever,” taking people for a ride as it had done during the last lok Sabha polls by announcing loan waivers for farmers. He cautioned people that the Congress could adopt similar tactics this time too, just to return to power, clearly hinting at the food Bill.
The BJP’s discomfort was also evident from the fact that it was quick to flay the Government when Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced in the Budget that an additional Rs 10,000 crore will be given for implementation of the Food Security bill.
A brainchild of the Sonia-led National Advisory Council, the Bill has already been much delayed. The Congress is now in a hurry to get Parliamentary approval for its implementation in the last few months of the UPA regime. The party wants to showcase it in the elections, vis-à-vis MGNREGA and NRHM.
The party had this legislation — along with the land Acquisition Bill — on top of its priority list during the Budget Session. However, the DMK’s pullout at the fag end of the session’s first half unsettled all calculations as the Government could barely manage to pass the Budget itself.
Now, dependent on the outside support of the SP and BSP for its survival, the Government will find it increasingly difficult to get Bills cleared in Parliament. Rival parties are aware that providing wheat at Rs 2 per kg, rice at Rs 3 per kg and millet at Re one per kg to 75 per cent people in rural areas and 50 per cent population in urban areas could tilt the electoral balance in Congress’ favour.
The Opposition will not openly oppose the pro-poor legislation, but it could definitely delay it on various grounds. With the SP being impatient for early elections — as indicated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav — the Government realises that it doesn’t have much time.
But then, it will have to be cautious and see whether the proposal to bring an Ordinance would be legally feasible, when Parliament sits again from April 22. Parties can question the Government’s motive behind the hurry and even challenge it legally.