New Delhi:
NDTV has accessed a letter written by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voicing his objections to some provisions in the Food Security Bill. In his letter, Mr Pawar has asked for direct cash transfer to target groups instead of cereals and foodgrain. He also says it is desirable to be given to most of the urban population and the farming families.
Mr Pawar says the move will help in avoiding a heavy and costly burden on state agencies involving in procurement, storage, movement and distribution of foodgrain.
He also says that agricultural production is the most important component of food security and that the planned allocation for agricultural production is insufficient.
A copy of Mr Pawar's letter has also been sent to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs KV Thomas.
The historic Food Security Bill will ensure food to almost two-thirds of the country's population as a right. The Bill aims to provide the poor a legal guarantee for cheaper rice and wheat. According to the Bill, government will give Below Poverty Line (BPL) families food grains at Rs 35 kg per household per month at Rs 3 for rice, Rs 2 for wheat, and Rs 1 for millets.
For "general category" households, the Bill ensures 20 kg of food grains at half the Minimum Support Price (MSP).