Govt withdraws Decree, tables of food safety Bill in LS amid protests

New Delhi: the Government on Wednesday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha on the food security of 2013 to replace the relevant provisions, published last month.

Square food Minister Thomas initially withdrew the draft law on food safety, which were introduced in the House in 2011, and then introduced a new measure based on the Decree, which was submitted for approval in the House Monday.

"The Bill does not infringe upon the rights of States. There is nothing against the federal structure. The Bill is aimed at providing food as a matter of law, "Thomas told the House.

PTI

Border security is just as important as food security and repeated its demand that the Defense Minister AK Antony has to clarify his statement on the killing of five soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday declared the opposition leader Sushma Swaraj.

AIADMK Member Thambidurai against the Bill, saying that it was against the law of Nations. He also wanted to consult before the House took up the Bill.

The Tamil Nadu Government disseminated grains. It would be affected by the Bill, "said Thambidurai.

A former ally of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and members of DMK, TR Baalu said that his party would seek to amend the Bill.

"Taking the States should not be affected," he said.

Amid the din in the House, the speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha till Thursday.

The Bill cannot be passed in previous budget session of Parliament and get the new food safety bill is a top priority for the UPA.

The lower House Business Advisory Committee, which met Monday, agreed to provide six hours of discussion on the draft law on food safety. The debate will begin next Monday or Tuesday.

The Bill is expected to be a game changer for the ruling Congress ahead of five Assembly polls this end and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, seeks to provide subsidized grain at prices far below market rates to about 800 million people — about 67% of India's 1.2 billion people.

The Bill, costing Rs. 124.723 crore Government initially, will bring an additional burden of Rs. 23.800 crore, told Congress.

The Bill, part of the Congress manifesto in 2009 polls, the election is expected to benefit, as well as the plan of rural workers, Mahatma Gandhi National rural employment guarantee scheme, brought in 2009 year.

Several States, Congress decided, including poll binding New Delhi, Haryana and Assam, said that they will launch the scheme of subsidized wheat from 20 August, birthday of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Bill was introduced in Parliament in December 2011. He remained with the Standing Committee for one year before it was introduced in the Lok Sabha for consideration and adoption at the budget session, which ended May 8.

Thomas said the Government is procuring the average 60.2 million tons of grain in the past four years and will have no difficulty in managing the 61.2 million tons, in moderation.