Cabinet to take a final view on food bill on Monday

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Union Cabinet is expected to take a final view on the controversial food security bill on Monday amid government plans to introduce it in Parliament in the next couple of days.

Food Minister K V Thomas said discussions on the food bill in the Cabinet meeting earlier this week were postponed for want of time.

"Discussions will continue when the Cabinet meets at 9:30 am on Monday," he told reporters outside the Parliament premises.

He said once the Cabinet approves the food security bill, the Food Ministry would finalise the draft Bill and try to introduce it in the winter session of Parliament, which concludes on December 22.

Asked about the objections raised by the Agriculture Ministry on the financial viability of the proposals made in the Bill, Thomas said the Cabinet was looking into the Bill that seeks to make "huge financial commitments."

"That is why the Cabinet is looking into it as a huge financial commitment is involved. So, naturally, the cabinet has to look into it," he said.

Meanwhile, Thomas also held meetings with several cabinet colleagues and made attempts to address their concerns over the bill.

PTI