Left parties have rejected the draft of the Food Security Bill, presently lying with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The parties – CPI(M), CPI, All India Forward Block and RSP – instead demanded a universal public distribution system, which will help in keeping the market prices down.

In a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, leaders of Left Parties said India produces enough foodgrains to ensure a food security system which covers all sections of the people. They said with the largest numbers of hungry people in the world, the country requires a comprehensive and inclusive food security system. This can only be provided by scrapping the targeted system and replacing it with a universal system.