The State government is planning to provide sugar and wheat to Above Poverty Line (APL) ration cardholders under the Public Distribution System (PDS), Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu

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.

The world produces 4 billion tonnes of food every year, enough to feed its 7 billion people. Yet, every seventh person on earth sleeps hungry.

With substantial opposition to short cuts in passage, regular Parliament discussion in coming session seems the route

The UPA-II government’s flagship programme, the Food Security Bill, which comes with a neat price tag of Rs 1.23 lakh crore, holds the promise of eradicating hunger.