The Union Cabinet has approved draft National Food Security Bill that seeks to give legal entitlement of cheaper food-grains to 63.5 per cent of the country's population.

The Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, gave its nod to the bill following a brief discussion on Sunday. Top government sources said, the bill is likely to be tabled in the current session of Parliament.

Food Minister KV Thomas had, on Saturday, said that the total financial liability to implement the law would be 3.5 lakh crore rupees, as funds will be required to raise agriculture production, create storage space and publicity among others.

The Bill seeks to cover 75 per cent of the people in rural areas with at least 46 per cent under priority households. Up to 50 per cent of people will be covered in the urban centres, with at least 28 per cent under priority category.

The bill also provides for 7 kg of rice, wheat and coarse grains to per person per month to priority households at 3 Rupees, 2 rupees and 1 rupee per kg.

AIR correspondent reports that this is a major initiative by the UPA government, and considered to be pet project of Sonia Gandhi, after Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The Congress Party had promised food law in its manifesto for 2009 election and President had announced this in her address to the joint session of Parliament in June 2009.