This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-22883986

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
India cabinet 'to propose food security bill ordinance' India considers special parliament session on food security bill
(about 2 hours later)
India's cabinet is due to meet amid media reports it will consider an ordinance to subsidise food for two-thirds of the population. The Indian government is considering convening a special session of parliament to pass a bill to subsidise food for two-thirds of the population.
The Food Security Bill proposes to make food a legal right and seeks to provide 5kg of grain every month to some 800 million poor people. Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the government would approach opposition parties for their support.
It was tabled in parliament earlier in the year but could not be debated. The Food Security Bill was discussed by the cabinet which deferred a plan to introduce an ordinance to pass it.
Correspondents say the government is keen to issue an ordinance to implement the scheme early. The bill proposes to make food a legal right and seeks to provide 5kg of grain every month to 800 million poor people.
The ordinance will have to be ratified by parliament within six months for it to become law. It was tabled in parliament earlier this year but could not be debated.
India's cabinet meets on Thursday evenings to discuss and approve key policy decisions.
The Food Security Bill was an election promise made by the ruling Congress party and, correspondents say, its implementation will help the party in general elections due next year.The Food Security Bill was an election promise made by the ruling Congress party and, correspondents say, its implementation will help the party in general elections due next year.
The bill proposes to provide a kilo of rice at three rupees (six cents; four pence), wheat at two rupees and millet at one rupee.The bill proposes to provide a kilo of rice at three rupees (six cents; four pence), wheat at two rupees and millet at one rupee.
Millions live below the poverty line, and many children are malnourished in India.Millions live below the poverty line, and many children are malnourished in India.
The scheme is likely to cost 1.3 trillion rupees ($23.9bn; £15.8bn) every year.The scheme is likely to cost 1.3 trillion rupees ($23.9bn; £15.8bn) every year.
Critics say it is a political move and a waste of public money. Critics of the scheme say it is a political move and a waste of public money.
Many politicians have also criticised the move to push through the bill through an ordinance rather than putting it to vote in parliament. The Congress party-led government and its allies are also deeply divided over how to ratify the plan.
Many politicians have also criticised the move to push through the bill through an ordinance rather than putting it to a vote in parliament.
"A bill that's so important to national life is being passed through an ordinance. It's shameful and can't be a worse advertisement of parliamentary system," Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Nilotpal Basu told the NDTV news channel."A bill that's so important to national life is being passed through an ordinance. It's shameful and can't be a worse advertisement of parliamentary system," Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Nilotpal Basu told the NDTV news channel.
Federal food minister KV Thomas, however, said the government had "waited for two sessions [of the parliament and] nearly six months" for the bill to be discussed.Federal food minister KV Thomas, however, said the government had "waited for two sessions [of the parliament and] nearly six months" for the bill to be discussed.
"But nothing has happened. They [the opposition] obstructed everything. If they were so serious, they should have allowed the discussions. What were the grounds they opposed the bill on? They can have those grounds again," he said."But nothing has happened. They [the opposition] obstructed everything. If they were so serious, they should have allowed the discussions. What were the grounds they opposed the bill on? They can have those grounds again," he said.