Reports of Sonia angry over delay on Food Security Bill

New Delhi, Dec 15: Congress dismissed as "speculative" reports suggesting that the Union Cabinet's delay in clearing the Food Security Bill has angered UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. "There have been speculative reports in some newspapers in this regard. We do not want to comment on them", party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.

He said Congress was for the measure so that it could help the needy. "We would like the government to take appropriate measures for the purpose", he said. His remarks came close on the heels of reports that Gandhi is learnt to have taken up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, upset over the stalled Bill.

Amid reports that two UPA allies, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Trinamool Congress had joined hands to thwart the cabinet clearance for the Bill, she met the Prime Minister to discuss the matter. NCP feels the legislation will push up food subsidy by at least Rs.35,000 crore. Besides, the government will have to arrange for 63 million tonnes of food grain. Trinamool Congress wants more time to study the Bill.

PTI