Parliament has passed the National Food Security Bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving it by a voice vote last night. The House rejected the amendments moved by the Opposition. The Lok Sabha had passed it last week.
Moving the bill in the upper house, Food Minister Prof. K V Thomas said, the bill will provide food and nutritional security to people at affordable prices to lead a dignified life. He assured the Rajya Sabha that all positive and constructive suggestions given by the members will be carefully followed while making rules and guidelines for its implementation. Replying to a debate on the bill, Mr. Thomas also assured that the federal structure of the country will be fully protected.Earlier, speaking on the statutory resolution to disapprove the ordinance on Food Security, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said that there was no urgency to issue an ordinance on Food Security as the Monsoon session of Parliament was scheduled to begin within a month. Initiating the discussion on the bill, M. Venkaiah Naidu of the BJP charged the Congress with failure to ensure food security to the people despite the fact that it was in power for 57 years. Accusing the ruling party for not being serious and sincere about the welfare of the poor, Mr Naidu said it has resorted to populist measures on the eve of general elections. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said the Bill is a big achievement.