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N Food Security Bill: Top official optimistic of smooth implementation



 An ordinance pushed by the Union Cabinet to implement the National Food Security Bill will pave the way for providing food grains to poorer sections of the country at highly subsidised rates. The ordinance will become law following the approval of the President, which is said to have come on Friday.

According to a source, who is associated with the drafting and implementation of the Bill, the Bill will guarantee two-thirds of the Indian population food grains at subsidised rates and there will be no corruption since grievances redressal forums will be set up in every district to ensure its smooth implementation.

Speaking to FnB News, the source informed, “The ordinance has been passed to implement the Food Security Bill but it will have to be cleared by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Bill will entitle three-fourths of rural population and half the urban population in the country rice, wheat and coarse grains - 5 kg at Rs 3, Rs 2 and Rs 1 per kg respectively.”

He added, “This Bill would burn the pocket of the government by Rs 1,25,000 crore and require more than 61 million tonne of food grains. There is ample availability of food grains and it is on the state governments to act now. Million tonne of food grains are rotten in godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI) so this Bill will reduce the wastage.”

“The state governments will now have to identify the beneficiaries on a warfooting through open transparent criteria. If the beneficiaries don't get the benefits after the implementation of the Bill they can go to the court,” he stated, on a concluding note.

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