New Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is set to lead the debate on the Food Security Bill from government's side on Wednesday. UPA's ambitious Rs 1.25 lakh crore bill aims to provide subsidised food grain to 70 per cent of the population in the country. The Congress has issued a whip to all its MPs to attend proceedings.
However, Murli Manohar Joshi will initiate the debate for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Parliament. The cabinet had introduced the scheme as a law last month, but Parliament has to approve the legislation within six weeks.
Meanwhile, Sonia was to speak on Food Bill on Tuesday after Murli Manohar Joshi initiated the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha but couldn't speak as the House was adjourned as TDP members raised slogans demanding justice for Seemandhra when Joshi started speaking.
Sources said the Congress is making all efforts to ensure that the House runs smoothly during the debate on the Bill. The ruling party has reportedly reached out to TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to prevent its MPs from disrupting the House.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj suggested that the TDP members can protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue when the Food Bill is being discussed and passed. Three to four leaders from the Congress are likely to speak on the issue. A total of six hours have been allotted for debate on this crucial Bill. Gandhi will speak soon after Joshi finishes his speech.
The Bill is said to be dear to Gandhi who as chairperson of the National Advisory Council played a key role in the formulation and introduction of this measure in Parliament. She has mounted opposition from certain sections of the government, including from the allies.
The Congress has pinned its hopes on this legislation ahead of the five Assembly polls this year and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Food Bill aims to provide subsidised foodgrains to two-thirds of the country's population.
A part of Congress 2009 election manifesto, the Food Bill will cost Rs 1.25 crore to the government and mean an extra burden of Rs 23.8 crore.
This has been a major reason for some reservations in sections of the government and among some UPA allies about passing the bill as they feel this is not the right time for such legislation due to the current economic slowdown.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit appealed to all parties to cooperate in passing this Bill. "Everybody wants to discuss this important Bill. In fact, everybody has said that it is so important that they do not want to discuss it in noise and in chaos and therefore, they need a House in order. I would really request these MPs that please listen to the rest of the nation and cooperate and if they do so, I think all of us will be grateful to them," he said.
(With additional information from PTI)
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