PMO-NAC exchange of views on food security positive: Cong

Dismissing suggestions that there are differences between Sonia Gandhi-led NAC and PMO over the issue of food security, Congress on Saturday said the exchange of views between the two must be seen constructively. File Photo

Dismissing suggestions that there are differences between Sonia Gandhi-led NAC and PMO over the issue of food security, Congress on Saturday said the exchange of views between the two must be seen constructively.

“Right to Food is most comprehensive and revolutionary step contemplated in Indian history and if detailed discussion and exchange of views are happening between NAC and PMO so that a proper law is enacted, it should be taken positively,” party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

He said this was an initiative that required thorough discussion and all points needed to be discussed at length.

He said that the exchange of views between the government and NAC should be seen like serious people trying to arrive at the best decision through serious deliberations.

A senior party leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the stands taken by both the NAC and the PMO are correct in their own places since while NAC “will natuarlly take a maximal position as members of the body are thinkers in social format”, “the government has to see aspects that are implementable.”

He said that the cautious approach by the government cannot be faulted as once it becomes law, even partial non-implementation of the provisions will be open to strict scrutiny.

In the wake of the PM’s experts committee not agreeing to widen the ambit of the proposed Food Security Bill as suggested by NAC, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy had yesterday accused the government of trying to mislead people with one panel appointed by it stone-walling another.

Mr. Tewari, meanwhile, attacked Mr. Mayawati over the rape case in Banda where a backward caste girl was allegedly raped by a BSP MLA and was also put behind bars in a theft case.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has ordered the release of the jailed girl and said action would be taken against policemen involved in harassing the minor who was charged with theft apparently as part of a “conspiracy”.

The Congress spokesperson said that the “tragic incident pointed out that law and order in Uttar Pradesh was absolutely in a shambles.”

Attacking BSP over the issue, he said, “It also showed how a party, which claimed to be progressive and came to power on the agenda of social change, how quickly it turned into a feudal party after coming to power.”