The Food Security Bill was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha. Opposition termed it as a poll gimmick and accused government of violating constitutional norms by issuing an ordinance when Parliament session was less than a month away.

While supporting the Food Security Bill, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said government was repackaging various existing schemes like PDS, mid-day meal and ICDS and there was nothing new in it. Speaking on disapproval of a statutory resolution on Food Security Ordinance, Jaitley was joined by CPI-M, CPI and AIADMK in moving it.

He said it was issued in a hurry and less than a month of beginning of Parliament session. Initiating a discussion on the National Food Security Bill, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu charged the Congress with the failure to ensure food security to the people despite of the fact that it was in power for 57 years.

Counting the opposition allegations, Narendra Budania of the Congress described the bill as a historic step in ensuring food security to the poor people. He said the legislation will give people their right to food. The discussion is on when the reports last came in.