The Food Security Bill finalised by the National Advisory Council will be brought to Parliament soon for approval. It entitles 75 per cent of the population to highly subsidised foodgrains. People living the Below Poverty line (BPL) will get rice at RS 3 a kilogram after the bill is approved by Parliament.General households have the right to 20 kilograms of rice not exceeding 50 per cent of minimum support price paid to farmers. The Government will have to provide a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh crore after the Food Security Bill becomes a law.At present, the Government is providing food subsidy of Rs 82 thousand crore.This was revealed by Food and Consumer Affairs Minister, Prof. K.V. Thomas in an exclusive interview to All India Radio. He expressed hope that the food inflation will come down in view of their record production.Prof. Thomas said that the hike in petroleum prices will also have its impact on essential commodities. The Minister asserted that a mechanism needs to be developed to provide reasonable price to farmers and affordable price to consumers. Prof. Thomas said that a campaign is being launched to make farmers aware of the post-harvest operations. This, he said, is important for stopping the wastage.In reply to a question, Prof. Thomas said our public distribution system has been working very efficiently. Government is giving sufficient food grains and sugar to distribute through PDS, but it is up to the states how they manage it.The full interview of Prof. Thomas can be heard tonight on Delhi “D” from 9.15 p.m.