Centre asks States’ feedback on Food Bill

Centre  asked the states to give their feedback on the draft National Food Security Bill at the earliest for finalising the Bill so that it can be introduced in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said this at the National Development Council, NDC meeting in New Delhi. He said that so far, only a few States and Union Territories have sent their comments on this Bill.

Terming the Bill as an important legislation, Mr. Mukherjee requested the states to send their views at the earliest for finalising it.Draft Bill seeks to provide legal entitlement for subsidised grains to the 75 per cent of the rural households in the country and 50 per cent of urban household.

Mr. Mukherjee said, the views of the State governments are important because the implementation of the proposed Bill is the joint responsibility of the Centre and the states.

He said that both have to work together to procure the required quantity of food grains and ensure distribution to the beneficiaries through an effective delivery system.