M A I N   N E W S

Food Bill: Govt keen to clear LS hurdle
KV Prasad/TNS

August 20 crucial On August 20, several state governments are rolling out the ambitious welfare measure The date coincides with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Govt’s plans to have a discussion going last week were stalled on account of disruptions of proceedings over several issues While priority is Food Security Bill moved earlier to replace the July 5 ordinance, Congress parliamentary managers have their task cut out on other Bills of importance.

New Delhi, August 18
Energies of the Congress-led UPA Government are directed to work for approval by the Lok Sabha to the Food Security Bill by August 20, a day several of its state governments are rolling out the ambitious welfare measure coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Its plans to have a discussion going last week were stalled on account of disruptions of proceedings over several issues with anti-Andhra division slogans by Telugu Desam MPs making the most vociferous contribution. In fact, since the beginning of monsoon session on August 5, both the Houses have been unable to function smoothly with the exception in passing the Companies Bill.

On Monday, the House is unlikely to sit after obituary reference to BJP MP Dilip Singh Judev from Chhattisgarh and the best the Congress can hope is Tuesday.

With Seemandhra rocked by agitations since the announcement of a separate Telengana, the Congress parliamentary managers are wary of acting against MPs who are protesting in the well of the Houses as it could inflame passions further in Andhra Pradesh.

While priority is Food Security Bill moved earlier to replace the July 5 ordinance, Congress parliamentary managers have their task cut out on other Bills of importance.

Though the government has listed the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Land Border Agreement with Bangladesh on the agenda in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow, parliamentary sources said it will be moved only if the BJP is on board. The BJP is opposed to the agreement even though India wants its passage to send a strong signal of New Delhi’s commitment to relations with Dhaka ahead of parliamentary elections there later this year.

Interestingly, the Lok Sabha list of business has included the Land Acquisition Bill also for tomorrow. The Bill has been held up for a long time and the Union Cabinet at its recent meeting approved it, including amendments sought by the BJP and CPM, indicating its resolve to build a consensus.

The Bill seeks to alter the existing legal framework to make compensation based on market value of the land being acquired in the rural and urban areas, and prevent further dilution in the schedules to lessen compensation or rehabilitation and resettlement benefits.

Another Bill that has been pending for a while is the Lokpal Bill with Union Minister V Narayansamy suggesting the government wants to move it for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha. After the Lok Sabha passed it in 2011, it was held up in the Rajya Sabha after a controversial decision to adjourn the House sine die after prolonged debate. The Bill was then sent a Select Committee to reconcile amendments and reported the Bill back to the House. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mentioned of the government’s commitment to act on corruption and referred to the Bill in the context in his speech from Red Fort.