The much-talked about National Food Security Bill may now to be brought before Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
This is the latest indication from the government and Congress sources on the ambitious measure with the talk of promulgation of an Ordinance or convening of a special session of Parliament receding.
Congress sources said that there could be even efforts to advance the Monsoon Session while a Union Minister said that the strategy ahead on the issue would be decided by next week.
Meanwhile, Food Minister K V Thomas today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is keen to push her pet project that seeks to provide legal rights to 67 per cent of the population over a uniform quantity of 5 kg foodgrains at a fixed price of Rs 1-3 per kg through ration shops.
The Food Ministry, the nodal department to implement the proposed law, itself is not much in favour of an Ordinance to implement the food security law.
A senior Congress leader said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath was having talks with all concerned on the way the Bill should be brought before Parliament.
The bill was tabled in the Budget session but could not be taken up for discussion because of pandemonium in the Lok Sabha over various scams.
Congress considers the Bill as a gamechanger in the next elections.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and some other ministries have voiced their opposition to adopting the ordinance route to implement the proposed food law.
"Ordinance should be the last resort," Ramesh had said.
