Food Security Bill: Government reaches out to political parties

New Delhi, Aug 26: With the Food Security Bill pending in Parliament, government on Monday reached out to various political parties hoping for a smooth functioning of both the houses.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters at the sidelines of a conference here that he had spoken to representatives of various political parties on important issues.

"Let us see if Parliament functions because there are many important issues on which various parties have spoken to me in the morning," Nath said when asked whether he thought that the Food Security Bill will be passed today.

Asked if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could give a clarification on the issue of coal block allocations today, he said, "No statement of the Prime minister." Union Coal minister Shriprakash Jaiswal has already spoken on the issue and the government has already said that the Prime Minister will intervene whenever a debate will take place on the issue.

Later at the same conference, Union minister Girija Vyas said the Food Security Bill should be allowed to be passed. "This is a historic Bill which has no equal across the world.

This Bill will give direction to India's progress. To make excuses is not right. Parliament is functioning. The minister has given his reply but ...raising such questions and not letting the bill (pass) and not letting a morsel of food reach the poor is not correct," Vyas said.

PTI