Govt mulling Ordinance on Food Security Bill

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's dream project, the Food Security Bill, is likely to be taken up in the Cabinet on Tuesday. The Government is mulling the Ordinance route, despite the objections from the Allies and the Opposition.A The UPA Coordination Committee meeting, which met on Monday to discuss the Food Security Bill, also held confabulations on the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said that all the options were open to either bring an Ordinance or to pass the Bill by convening the Special Session. In the meeting, the RLD leader Ajit Singh was conspicuous by his absence.

Aware that the crucial legislation is being opposed by several parties, including the BJP, the UPA government is determined to bring it, even if it means through the backdoor. Kamal Nath, however, did not disclose the plans of the government in pushing for Food Security Bill. He said that it was not discussed at the meeting.

The UPA Coordination Committee discussed the situation arising out of the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. It was decided that an All-Party Meeting will be held on the date convenient to all the political parties. Describing the incident as "an attack on our democratic system," Kamal Nath said that an All-Party Meeting will be convened to evolve a strategy on the attack that has shaken the very foundations of the democratic system. He said that the Union Home Minister will consult the Chief Ministers of the Naxal-affected States. After consulting the Chief Ministers, an all-party meeting will be convened on the issue.

At the UPA Coordination Committee meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is stated to have objected to passing the Bill in a hurry without a debate.A Moreover, since it is stated to be a game-changer, he opined that the government should try to evolve a consensus in Parliament. The UPA government will benefit more politically if they get the support of most of the parties, instead of rushing through an Ordinance.A JD (U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar aired his reservations on the Bill.

Anita Saluja