Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday said the Central government would consult the State governments on the proposed Food Security Bill as the latter had to execute the law.
Asked how he proposed to implement the recommendation of the National Advisory Council (NAC) for phased universalisation of the Public Distribution System, Mr. Pawar said, “I have not received NAC recommendation. First, I have to see what the final recommendation is. I have to assess and consult the State governments because they are going to execute the food security law.”
The Minister was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
He said once the food security draft is finalised it would be placed in the public domain. The final draft of the bill, to be prepared by the Food Ministry (on the lines of the NAC recommendations), would go to the Union Cabinet for approval. After clearance from the Cabinet, it would be introduced in Parliament.
He, however, added: “I don't think it will come in the monsoon session of Parliament.”
Referring to President Pratibha Patil's address to both Houses of Parliament, in which she said that the government would provide 25 kg of foodgrains at Rs.3 per kg to poor families, Mr. Pawar said if there was an improvement (on entitlement and beneficiaries), the government had every right to do it, but no decision had been taken so far.
On July 14, the NAC took the decision to recommend phased, time-bound universalisation of foodgrains entitlements across the country, starting with one-fourth of the most disadvantaged districts or blocks where every household would be entitled to receive 35 kg of foodgrains per month at Rs. 3 per kg.
Reacting on the decision, noted agricultural scientist and member of the NAC, M.S. Swaminathan, who was also present, said, “This was the only way of looking at the foodgrains production, procurement, storage and preservation.”
