At a time when food bill is being seen as UPA's trump card for the next Lok Sabha poll, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar today said feeding poor people will create a happy situation in the country.
"When our granaries are full, why not feed our own people, why not resolve the problem of food security. I think any action from that angle will create a happy situation in the country," Pawar told reporters here.
The agriculture minister said that "politically, it (Food Bill) will be beneficial but I don't think it from the political angle". He was replying to a query whether implementation of the Food Security Bill would help the UPA government in the next General elections.
The UPA's ambitious National Food Security Bill, introduced in Parliament in December 2011, aims to provide legal right on subsidised foodgrains to 67 per cent of the country's population. A Parliamentary panel that has examined the Bill has suggested drastic changes in it.
At the outset, Pawar said the Parliamentary panel's report has not been received by his ministry. "We would like to study it first".
Pawar said, it is a "good thing" if sizeable percentage of weaker sections gets food at a cheaper price.
Lauding the efforts of poor farmers in resolving hunger situation, the Minister said the country's granaries are overflowing on account of hard work of poor farmers, whose efforts has led to record foodgrains production in the last two years.
"Last year, we produced a record 259 million tonnes. This year, we are expected to cross 250 million tonnes and we will try to achieve a new record next year if monsoon is good," the minister said.
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Asked why he had shown reservation on the Bill earlier but now supporting the same, Pawar said, "My reservation was on the percentage of subsidy. When we have excess grains, why not feed our own people."
Presently, the government godowns have foodgrains stock of 66.6 million tonnes, more than double the actual needs.
In its report on Food Bill, a Parliamentary panel has suggested scrapping separate rates and quantity of foodgrains sold to poor and general public and said the Bill should guarantee 5 kg of wheat and rice to all beneficiaries at a uniform price of Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kg, respectively.
At present, below poverty line (BPL) families effectively get 7 kgs of wheat and rice at Rs 4.15 and Rs 5.65 per kg per month, respectively.
The recommendations of the House Panel are generally not binding on the government. The government may however decide to accept the changes proposed as these suggestions match its own re-thinking on implementation of the ambitious scheme.