Revised Food Security Bill to be Placed in the Parliament During Budget Session

The Government intends to present the revised National Food Security Bill in the Parliament during Budget Session for consideration and passage, so that the people are ensured of its benefits at the earliest. The Bill, to provide food security for all in a rights based manner, is being finalised in the light of recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee. This was stated by Prof K.V Thomas, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution while having final round of consultations with the states, on 13 February, before finalising the Bill. He said that the States have to play a very crucial role in this historic and path-breaking initiative and urged them to strengthen Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including intermediate storage facilities at all levels in order to be able to successfully implement the Act.

The National Food Security Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December, 2011 and thereafter was examined in detail by the Parliamentary Standing Committee. State Food Ministers’ meet has been called by the Centre to have final consultations on the Bill in the light of recommendations of the Standing Committee.

[Source: PIB (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution) Press Release dated 13^th February 2013]