Dear government, what is the emergency to pass Food Bill, asks Jaitley

Updated: Monday, September 2, 2013, 15:28 [IST]

New Delhi, Sept 2: Today's parliament session saw the BJP tear into the government for rushing to get its Food Security Bill through, calling its decision to bring an ordinance unconstitutional and hasty.

As the bill was taken up for debate and passing in Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley asked, "What was the dire emergency to abuse constitutional powers bring an ordinance?"

"We couldn't wait for 30 days for the session to begin? This could be a political decision but the Constitution doesn't allow it," he added

Jaitley criticized the government's motivation behind the bill, saying that they have "effectively repackaged existing food schemes."

"Many Chief Ministers say their existing schemes are better that the proposals under the Food Security Bill, there are states like Chhattisgarh which provide not only foodgrain but, salt, sugar and pulses as well," the BJP leader said.

According to the NDTV reports, sources say that despite being a minority in the upper house, the government is confident of its numbers to pass the Food Bill as it might get majority votes ahead of polls due in May.

"Passing of Food Security Bill is a hasty decision"

The Food Security Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 26. The landmark bill aims at providing rice at Rs. 3 per kg, wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and coarse cereal at Re 1 per kg to almost 800 million Indians, is expected to cost the national exchequer Rs. 1.25 lakh crore.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had urged Parliament to take a 'historic step' by passing the Bill, but she couldn't vote on it as she was taken ill and had to be escorted to the hospital.