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After much delay, the landmark Food Security Bill was taken up in Lok Sabha today with Sonia Gandhi asking all parties to set aside differences and ensure its unanimous passage, even as outside ally SP demanded it be put in abeyance till states are consulted.
Main opposition BJP dubbed the measure as 'vote security bill' and picked holes as he questioned as to how it would be implemented and who would be the beneficiaries.
Initiating the debate after Food Minister K V Thomas moved the bill for consideration, Murli Manohar Joshi (BJP) said he was in favour of the legislation that will provide highly subsidised food to two-third of the country's population.
At the same time, he said there were flaws in the bill which should be rectified.
Suggesting that the bill had been brought with an eye on the elections, Joshi said, 'In 2009, the then President of India in his Address had talked about Food Security Bill. But you have brought this bill when you are going out...'
Gandhi, who opened her party's innings on the debate, appealed to all political parties to set aside differences and pass the bill unanimously as a 'historic occasion' has come.
Declaring that 'our goal is to wipe out hunger and malnutrition' in the country, Gandhi said, 'It is time to send out big message that India can take responsibility of ensuring food security for all Indians...'
Making a strong pitch for smooth passage of the bill, the UPA Chairperson said the government was implementing a promise made in 2009 and sought to dismiss questions over whether the ambitious scheme could be implemented.
'The question is not whether we have enough resources or not and whether it would benefit the farmers or not. We have to arrange resources for it. We have to do it,' she said in the House where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav contended that the bill was being brought with an eye on elections and said it should be kept in abeyance till Chief Ministers are consulted as it would put additional burden on states.
