Food Security Bill passed in Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi taken ill

New Delhi, Aug 26: The much-talked about Food Security Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha around 10.45 pm on Monday. The bill was passed after a nine-year-long debate. The bill was supported by the BJP.

Union food minister K V Thomas was hopeful that it would be passed in the Rajya Sabha as well.

Meanwhile, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi left the Parliament even as voting was on after the former reportedly felt ill and was taken to the AIIMS where she underwent some tests. The leaders were assisted by Union minister Kumar Shelja.

The voting on the Food Security Bill in the Parliament around 8.45 pm. Earlier, the Samajwadi Party withdrew amendments to the bill. The amendments to the food bill moved by CPI's Gurudas Dasgupta and CPI(M)'s Sampath were defeated in the Lok Sabha. An amendment moved by Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj for cash in lieu of food was also defeated in the House.

Sonia Gandhi had described the bill as a historic one during the day while opposition BJP mocked it as a vote security bill.

OneIndia News