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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Lok Sabha passes Food Security Bill Monday Aug 26,2013


The Lok Sabha on Monday night at about 10.47 p.m. passed the ambitious National Food Security Bill, 2013 that seeks to provide highly subsidised food grains to nearly 70 % of the population of the country


The Lok Sabha sat till late in the night to deliberate on a number of amendments that were moved by several members after a six-hour long debate on the Bill.The lengthy process of going through a volley of amendments to the Bill and subsequent division, demanded by many members, took more than three hours as the House sat till late on Monday night to complete the tedious legislative process


The Amendment moved by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj for cash in lieu of food defeated in the Lok Sabha . Her amendment was negated as the result of the division showed 252 Ayes and 141 Nays with the total number being at 393.


Termed a "game-changer" by UPA-2,the bill will legally entitle 67 per cent of the population (including 75 per cent rural and 50 per cent urban) to get subsidised grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)

 Under the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries are to be able to purchase 5 kilograms per eligible person per month of cereals at the following prices -
  • Rice at Rs3/kg
  • Wheat at Rs 2/kg
  • Coarse Grains at Re 1/kg



 The beneficiaries will be identified by the States based on parameters prescribed by the Union government.



Food Minister KV Thomas while speaking in Lok Sabha on Food Security Bill said that for the bill to be successful, both the central and the state governments need to work together.

Monday Aug 26,2013 2:05 Afternoon - The Lok Sabha has taken up the Food Security Bill. Food Minister KV Thomas has initiated the debate in the House. He said, "The matter regarding identification of beneficiaries will be left to the state governments. Pregnant woman are entitled for Rs 6,000 per year. This scheme will provide more accountability in the current Public Distribution System. Children between 6 months and 18 years of age are entitled to ICDS and mid day meal under this Bill, said." 

Monday Aug 26,2013 2:20 pm: CPI leader Prabodh Panda moved the resolution for disapproval of the Food Security Bill. He said, "This Bill is not complete and ignores some important points."  

Monday Aug 26,2013 3:36 pm: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi the government is taking a a historic step with the Food Security Bill. 

"We had promised in 2009 that we will bring the Food Security Bill. I am happy to say that we are fulfilling the promise. A clear message is being sent out today that India is taking care of providing food to all its citizens. We are ensuring that no child will be malnourished. It's an opportunity that we are providing food security to all. It will also ensure a stop to food grain wastage,"  

Monday Aug 26,2013 3:46 pm: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav says before finalising the Food Security Bill, the Central government should have called the chief ministers of all states and taken their views into account.  

Monday Aug 26,2013 3:55 pm: Mulayam Singh Yadav questioned the government motive in bringing the Food Security Bill, claiming that it has been done with an eye on elections. He said, "The government is bringing this Bill with elections in the mind. There is nothing for the poor. There should be a clarity on the number of the poor to be covered."  

Monday Aug 26,2013 5:18 pm: Around 318 notices of amendments have been given on the Food Security Bill.  

Monday Aug 26,2013 8:25 pm: Amendments to the Food Bill moved by CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta and CPI(M) leader Sampath were defeated in the Lok Sabha.  

Monday Aug 26,2013 8:29 pm: The Samajwadi Party withdraws amendments to the Food Security Bill.

Monday Aug 26,2013 8:45 pm: Voting on the Food Security Bill begins in Parliament.  

Monday Aug 26,2013 9:43 pm: Amendment moved by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj for cash in lieu of food defeated in the Lok Sabha 

Monday Aug 26,2013 10:47 pm:Lok Sabha passes the Food Security Bill. The Bill was passed after debating for 9 hours. The bill was supported by the BJP 


Food Security Bill Gets President Assent Thursday Sep 12,2013
Food Security Bill, aimed at giving a legal right on highly subsidised foodgrains to 67% of the country’s population, on Thursday Sep 12,2013 received the President’s nod. “We have received the Presidential assent to the Food Security bill,” Food Minister K.V. Thomas told

The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Aug 26,2013 while the Rajya Sabha gave its nod on Sep 2,2013

The law will soon be notified in the Govt Gazette, after which it will come into effect

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