New Delhi:
Narendra Modi has written to the Prime Minister listing five objections that he has to the Centre's flagship new scheme to entitle nearly 70 per cent of India's population to subsidised food.
Called the food security bill, it is intended as a major vote-getter for the ruling Congress in the national election, due by next May. The BJP, which is expected to soon name Mr Modi as its presumptive Prime Minister, has so far said it is not opposed to the bill and will help pass it.
Among Mr Modi's objections to the bill is that the state governments are not being given a say in determining "the eligibility criteria". He has also detailed other "key deficiencies" in the way the proposed scheme has been structured and has reportedly sought a meeting of all chief ministers for a discussion.
Taking a swipe at Mr Modi's letter, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted: "Modi doesn't trust BJP Parliamentary Party to raise right issues on Food Security Bill writes directly to PM. No confidence against Sushma (Swaraj, Leader of Opposition)?"
Mr Singh also slammed Mr Modi as "anti-poor" for opposing a "pro-poor initiative". "BJP and its ICON wants to deprive the poor of food security in India, shows its true colour," he tweeted.
The bill has been tabled in the Lok Sabha and is due for debate and vote soon. Sources said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, considered the chief champion of the initiative, wants some more changes and these will be discussed at an all-party meeting called today to ensure smooth passage for the bill.
Mrs Gandhi wants contractors kept out of the programme, the setting up of community kitchens and ensuring food for the homeless.
The cabinet had used special constitutional powers to introduce the scheme as a law last month, but Parliament has to approve the legislation within six weeks. Without the support of the BJP, the government will have to work hard to shore up support within allies like Mulayam Singh Yadav to ensure the bill is cleared.
The food security law will cost the government Rs. 1.25 lakh crore and aims to provide subsidised wheat and rice at between Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 per kilo to nearly 800 million people.
Called the food security bill, it is intended as a major vote-getter for the ruling Congress in the national election, due by next May. The BJP, which is expected to soon name Mr Modi as its presumptive Prime Minister, has so far said it is not opposed to the bill and will help pass it.
Among Mr Modi's objections to the bill is that the state governments are not being given a say in determining "the eligibility criteria". He has also detailed other "key deficiencies" in the way the proposed scheme has been structured and has reportedly sought a meeting of all chief ministers for a discussion.
Taking a swipe at Mr Modi's letter, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted: "Modi doesn't trust BJP Parliamentary Party to raise right issues on Food Security Bill writes directly to PM. No confidence against Sushma (Swaraj, Leader of Opposition)?"
Mr Singh also slammed Mr Modi as "anti-poor" for opposing a "pro-poor initiative". "BJP and its ICON wants to deprive the poor of food security in India, shows its true colour," he tweeted.
The bill has been tabled in the Lok Sabha and is due for debate and vote soon. Sources said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, considered the chief champion of the initiative, wants some more changes and these will be discussed at an all-party meeting called today to ensure smooth passage for the bill.
Mrs Gandhi wants contractors kept out of the programme, the setting up of community kitchens and ensuring food for the homeless.
The cabinet had used special constitutional powers to introduce the scheme as a law last month, but Parliament has to approve the legislation within six weeks. Without the support of the BJP, the government will have to work hard to shore up support within allies like Mulayam Singh Yadav to ensure the bill is cleared.
The food security law will cost the government Rs. 1.25 lakh crore and aims to provide subsidised wheat and rice at between Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 per kilo to nearly 800 million people.
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