New Delhi: The Food Ministry has sent the draft National Food Security Bill to the Law Ministry for its vetting and public comments will be sought on it before introducing in Parliament in the monsoon session, Food Minister K V Thomas has said.
The draft National Food Security Bill, which was recently approved by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee headed panel of ministers, aims to provide a legal right to subsidised foodgrain to 68 percent of the population in the country.
"The draft bill has been sent to the Law Ministry. After the Law Ministry gave its comments, the draft bill would be put on the Internet for eliciting public views and will be placed before Cabinet," Food Minister K V Thomas said.
The food ministry will also seek the views of state governments before the bill is tabled in Parliament during the coming monsoon session, he said.
As per the draft bill, a legal entitlement will be given to 75 percent of rural people and 50 percent of urban people, taking the total legal coverage to 68 percent of the country's population.
As much as 7 kg of foodgrains per month per person will be given to the 'priority sector' (Below Poverty Line). Rice will be supplied via ration shops at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg and millets at Re 1 per kg.
For the general category (Above Poverty Line), 3 kg per person will be supplied via ration shops at the rate half of the minimum support price (MSP).
About 61 million tonnes of foodgrains will be required in a year to cover the targeted beneficiary and will increase the the current food subsidy bill by Rs 13,000 crore to Rs 95,000 crore in a year.
The draft Bill also opens the door for cash transfers, food coupons and free supply of nutritional meal to pregnant women and children among other options.
PTI
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