Issues related to Food Security Bill were discussed in depth at the National Advisory Council (NAC) meeting today with a special focus on reaching out to the poorest. The need for systematic reforms to improve the functioning of Public Distribution system was also emphasized. <br/><br/>Members of the Council Professor Swaminathan and Harsh Mander made presentations to highlight the need for universal entitlement through an act with emphasis on efforts to increase over all availability of foodgrains. They said it could be done through increasing agriculture productivity and advocated the need for larger procurement of foodgrains. <br/><br/>According to an official release, the working group on the National Food Security Bill advised that special care should be taken to cover the poorest including the aged, the infirm, destitutes, homeless, disabled, street children, primitive tribes and persons suffering from diseases such as TB, HIV AIDS and leprosy. <br/><br/>The Council, headed by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, also asked the working group on National Food Security Bill to hold consultations with all stakeholders and submit their recommendations in the next meeting. <br/><br/>The Council was appraised of the work carried out by the working group on communal violence bill as well. The Group on Communal Violence earlier had consultations with related Ministries and representatives of civil society on certain issues related to the bill.