A row broke out over rules as the UPA government's landmark Food Security Bill was finally taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha.
Food Minister KV Thomas introduced the Bill in the lower house, listing the salient points of the scheme. "The estimated food subsidy is Rs 1,24,827 crore," Mr Thomas said.
But when CPI MP Prabodh Panda started speaking on the shortcomings of the Bill, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj objected.
"You cannot discuss both your opposition to the Food Bill Ordinance and the Food Security Bill in the same discussion," Ms Swaraj said.
Mr Panda had asked for the Bill to be referred to the Standing Panel and moved a resolution to oppose the measure. "But that does not mean we oppose the move," he said.
Ms Swaraj said Mr Panda should just move the resolution, without going into the Bill. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi was supposed to lead the discussion, before the CPI MP launched into his speech on the Bill.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to hard-sell the ambitious scheme on behalf of the government.
The government hopes that voting on the Bill will take place today.
The landmark pro-poor scheme, which aims at providing highly-subsidised food to nearly 70 per cent of India's population, is being seen as the Congress's main lifeline as it seeks a third straight victory in national elections, due by May.
Food Minister KV Thomas introduced the Bill in the lower house, listing the salient points of the scheme. "The estimated food subsidy is Rs 1,24,827 crore," Mr Thomas said.
But when CPI MP Prabodh Panda started speaking on the shortcomings of the Bill, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj objected.
"You cannot discuss both your opposition to the Food Bill Ordinance and the Food Security Bill in the same discussion," Ms Swaraj said.
Mr Panda had asked for the Bill to be referred to the Standing Panel and moved a resolution to oppose the measure. "But that does not mean we oppose the move," he said.
Ms Swaraj said Mr Panda should just move the resolution, without going into the Bill. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi was supposed to lead the discussion, before the CPI MP launched into his speech on the Bill.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to hard-sell the ambitious scheme on behalf of the government.
The government hopes that voting on the Bill will take place today.
The landmark pro-poor scheme, which aims at providing highly-subsidised food to nearly 70 per cent of India's population, is being seen as the Congress's main lifeline as it seeks a third straight victory in national elections, due by May.
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