Onus on Congress to remove hunger, says BJP after Food Bill nod

NEW DELHI: A day after the much-touted Food Bill was passed by Lok Sabha, main opposition BJP said the onus will be on Congress to remove malnutrition and hunger from the country as it has ruled it for long.

"This Bill has been passed, but Congress also needs to realise that if India suffers from malnutrition and hunger, the primary responsibility is that of the Congress party which has ruled for so long," BJP deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Lamenting that many of its important amendments with regard to the legislation were rejected, BJP explained to its leaders the shortcomings of the Bill which is silent on making available ration in case of drought or earthquake when food is required the most.

"The party explained as to how its most reasonable pro-poor amendments have been rejected," he said after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party.

The leaders at the meeting explained as to how some of the shortcomings of the Bill will come in the way of its successful implementation, Prasad told reporters.

He also termed as "wrong" that lactating mothers and some others were not entitled to benefits of the Bill as they are already getting advantage from other schemes.

The BJP leader said his party will corner the UPA during a discussion in Lok Sabha on the economic situation in the country and in Rajya Sabha when it takes up a debate on rising onion prices.

On the issue of corruption in the UPA government, he said the party will continue its campaign to expose the scams.

"We will seek searching clarifications from the Prime Minister on missing Coalgate files, because there is involvement of the PMO as well," he said.