Consumer Affairs Minister K. V. Thomas has expressed confidence that there will be no financial stress on the Centre with the implementation of Food Security Bill.

The bill was approved by the Cabinet last night. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he said a mechanism is being devised to share the additional cost on the Food security Bill with the states.

The Minister said that from the proposed 75 percent of the rural population covered under the bill, at least 46 percent will be priority house holds from weaker sections.

From 50 percent of the urban population, at least 28 percent will be priority households. Mr. Thomas said that government will provide nutritional meals for the children while 1000 rupees for six months to the pregnant women.

The National Food Security Bill seeks to give legal entitlement to cheaper food-grains to 62.5 per cent of the country's population.

The bill is likely to be tabled in the current session of Parliament. It 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.