Slogan-shouting TDP members disrupt Lok Sabha; Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj asks them to stage protest outside House

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday made an attempt to discuss the ambitious National Food Security Bill but the debate was disrupted by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members who shouted slogans in the well.

A day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked the party-ruled states to implement national food security Bill in ‘letter and spirit’, food minister KV Thomas on Sunday said the biggest challeng

AS President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the food security ordinance, the Congress left no stone unturned to claim credit for rolling out a “game changer” welfare measure while the governme

The government on Thursday deferred the decision on bringing in an ordinance on the food security Bill and, instead, chose to engage the Opposition once more to drum up support to get the Bill pass

The UPA Government plans to call a special session of Parliament to pass the Food Security Bill after the Cabinet on Thursday deferred a proposal to pass an ordinance for implementing the same.

Ignoring concerns expressed by allies and civil society groups, the United Progressive Alliance government is all set to push for an ordinance on the Food Security Bill. The revised Bill along with Food Ministry’s 81 amendments will be tabled for approval in the Union Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Food Minister K.V. Thomas and key ally and NCP chief Sharad Pawar are known to have expressed concern over taking the ordinance route. Some of the allies have also let it be known that the proposal for an ordinance was moved during the previous Cabinet meeting without prior consultation.

State officials are apprehensive of targeted coverage and allocations

The National Food Security Bill, which is again in news these days, may be generating much excitement in most parts of the country, but not in Tamil Nadu. The reason: a more comprehensive model in the form of universal public distribution system is in place.

Union Cabinet did not take up for consideration the proposal

After an entire day of suspense on whether the government proposes to promulgate an Ordinance on the National Food Security Bill, the Union Cabinet did not take up for consideration a proposal to this effect moved by the Food Ministry. According to sources there is no consensus on taking the Ordinance route for the food security Bill not only between various political parties but within the United Progressive Alliance as well.

Amid talk of the government taking the ordinance route to implement its ambitious National Food Security Bill, Food Minister K V Thomas Thursday met Law Minister Kapil Sibal and discussed available options. Thomas, however, is not keen on an ordinance.

Thomas told The Indian Express that the Food Ministry has proposed various options, including a special session of Parliament to discuss and pass the legislation. "We have various options before us and all discussed with the Law Minister," he said.

Law ministry asked if ordinance can protect entitlement envisaged in food bill

The UPA government will write to chief ministers soon, urging them to be ready with enhanced grain storage facilities. The decision to build the political tempo for the national food security scheme comes a day after the budget session ended without passing the UPA government’s ambitious bill.