Parliament committee proposes no increase in foodgrain entitlement in Food Security Bill

The much awaited report of the parliamentary standing committee on the National Food Security Bill was submitted to the Lok Sabha speaker on January 17. This paves the way for the government to push for its enactment in the upcoming budget session in February.

Unravelling the food mess

Across Navargaon village in Korchi tehsil of Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district one can see wheat spread out to sun on cots outside every home. The wheat is worm infested and Bhimabai Katenge, one of the residents, holds up a handful to show that the grains are nearly hollow. “This is the grain we have received after two months. When we asked the ration shop dealer about the last two months’ supply, he said it has lapsed.”

Can't give grains for free: Pawar

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday made it clear that it was not possible for the government to implement Supreme Court's order to distribute foodgrains for free to the poor.