The government has decided to continue with the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme, which covers about 2.43 crore poorest of the poor families under the Public Distribution System (PDS) under which the beneficiaries are entitled to get 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month.
Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP slammed the government’s decision to bring an Ordinance on Food Bill, calling it an “election gimmick”, The BJP also accused Congress of running away from a debate on the crucial issue in Parliament.
“If today the Congress party and the government have decided to go in the route of the ordinance, it is very clear that they are running away from debate. They are not interested in having a debate because many facts or many gaps in this bill will be highlighted by all political parties and their own lack of clarity, their own lack of preparedness in presenting a comprehensive well-drafted bill will come out,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Left parties also attacked the government for taking the Ordinance route, with CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat saying “this is a totally unnecessary step. The government has shown contempt for Parliament.”
“We have a lot of criticism about the bill (in its present form). We will move amendments to the legislation,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj wondered if Congress wanted an early election.
“Monsoon Session is due in July itself and the government has recommended ordinance for National Food Security Bill. This is a deliberate attempt to denigrate Parliament. Why this hurry? Are they (Congress) going for early elections?" she tweeted. BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said UPA government was more interested in scoring some brownie points at the fag end of its tenure.
“They are not interested in having a debate because many facts or many gaps in this bill will be highlighted.”