EGoM to consult PM and Sonia on proposed food bill

NEW DELHI: Amid differences between NAC and Rangarajan Committee over the proposed Food Security Act, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) will consult Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi before finalising the draft bill.

The Sonia Gandhi led-National Advisory Council (NAC) has suggested providing legal entitlement of subsidised foodgrains to 75 per cent of the population including both "priority" (BPL) and "general" (APL) household categories.

However, the Rangarajan Committee has favoured a legal entitlement to "priority" households only taking into account the current production and procurement figures.

"The recommendations of National Advisory Council and Rangarajan Committee were discussed. It was decided in the meeting to hold a final consultation with the PM and UPA Chairperson on the proposed food bill," a senior government official, who was present in the EGoM, told PTI.

The official said a broad consensus has evolved among the ministerial panel, but it was felt that a final view of PM and Sonia Gandhi be taken before going ahead with the draft.

No official announcements were made about the decisions taken in the EGoM due to Election Commission's model code of conduct in the wake of the assembly polls.

In the EGoM, the Food Ministry placed the reports of both the NAC and Prime Minister's panel headed by PMEAC Chairman C Rangarajan for guidance to prepare a draft bill.

Currently, the government supplies 35 kg of rice and wheat every month at subsidised rates to 6.52 crore BPL families through ration shops.

Under the proposed Food Security Bill, the government will give legal entitlement for a certain quota of wheat or rice per month at a cheaper rates to the poor.

In 2009, the government had announced that it will provide 25 kg of wheat or rice per month at Rs 3 per kg to families below the poverty line (BPL).

Earlier, sources had said that a formula is being worked out by the EGoM for sharing the subsidy.

Under that proposal, the Centre would bear the burden of providing cheaper foodgrains to 8.1 crore poor households, while the states would chip in for another 2.9 crore households.

While the Tendulkar Committee appointed by the Planning Commission recently said there were 8.1 crore Below Poverty Line (BPL) households in the country, the states have issued 11 crore BPL ration cards.