GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA

STARREDQUESTION NO: 107

ANSWERED ON: 05.03.2013

FOOD SECURITY BILL 

(a) the current status of enactment of the Food Security Bill; 

(b) whether the obstacles faced in the implementation of the Bill have been identified and addressed to, and if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether a meeting of State Food Ministers was held recently to resolve all the issues concerning the Bill; 

(d) if so, the issues discussed and the follow-up action taken by the Government on these recommendations; and 

(e) the steps takenproposed to be taken by the Government for early enactment of this Bill? 

ANSWER

(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 107 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 05.03.2013 IN THE LOK SABHA 

(a) to (e) The Standing Committee of Parliament on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution has examined the National Food Security Bill, 2011, as introduced in the Lok Sabha on 22.12.2011, in detail after consultation with various stakeholders, namely Central MinistriesDepartments, StatesUnion Territories (UTs) and various other organiationsindividuals and given its recommendations. A meeting of Food Ministers and Food Secretaries of StatesUnion Territories (UTs) was held on 13.02.2013 in New Delhi to discuss the recommendations of Standing Committee. StatesUTs expressed their views on recommendations of the Committee on various aspects of the Bill, including coverage under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at 75 and 50 for rural and urban population respectively, identification of beneficiaries, foodgrain entitlement of 5 kg per person per month under TPDS, sharing of expenditure etc. 

 After finaliing its views on recommendations of the Standing Committee, Government will move necessary amendments to the Bill, wherever required, for consideration of the Parliament.