New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Monday night passed the historic Food Security Bill after the Lok Sabha adopted the bill last week, paving the way for, what the government claims as, supply of cheap foodgrains to nearly 75 per cent of the population.
Earlier, participating in the debate Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the National Food Security Scheme was just an amalgamation of all existing food schemes being implemented in different states.
CPi(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, the entitlements being promised under the bill were not enough for people to live with respect and without hunger.
"There are lots of states which give more. Don't reduce the entitlement of states," he said.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said, certain provisions of the food bill were making a mockery of the country's federal structure.
"This bill says the state will have to comply with whatever directions the central government gives ... This is a mockery of federalism," he argued.
O'Brien said the scheme is encouraging farmers to grow only cereals and cereals are not the solution to malnutrition.
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati said, several central government schemes for the poor have failed to benefit them in the past so efforts should be made to ensure proper implementation of the food security programme.
"Had even 50 percent of schemes made for the benefit of poor been implemented properly, we would have been able to eradicate poverty among 50 percent of our population," Mayawati said.
She also questioned the need for the food security programme when there were already several food subsidy schemes running in the country.
"Why were state chief ministers not consulted before the scheme was made? The scheme has to be implemented by the states and their views were not taken," she said.
"Many political parties are linking the food bill to the coming general elections... we also see truth in this," she said.
