Government assures members that it won’t tinker with federal structure of governance The Rajya Sabha on Monday approved by voice vote the National Food Security Bill after the government assured members that it had no intention of tinkering with the federal structure of governance through the legislation. Members were informed that the current grain allocation to the States under the Targeted Public Distribution System — even if over and above their entitlement under the new law — would be maintained at Above Poverty Line prices. The ‘game changer’ Bill, which provides 67 per cent eligible population with the legal right to subsidised foodgrains every month, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week. It will become law after the President approves it. A statutory resolution moved by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, disapproving the National Food Security Ordinance promulgated by the President on July 5, 2013, “when the monsoon session of Parliament was 20 days away,” was negated, with 118 members voting against it and 92 favouring it. The government did not move any official amendment, and none of the over 237 amendments moved by the Opposition, mainly the BJP, the CPI(M), the CPI, the AIADMK, the TMC, the BJD and the Akali Dal, were carried. Significantly, the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal (United) withdrew their amendments. s Despite attack from Opposition members, who termed the Bill an election gimmick, and a ‘vote security,’ Minister of State for Food (Independent) K.V. Thomas rejected the plea for making it universal. He said this was the “first step.” Responding to the charge that the Bill was nothing but re-packaging of existing schemes, he said the government decided to merge the welfare schemes that were operational in States but not in the manner that the Bill conceived them. There were wide consultations on the Bill, he said, and some of the States might have better schemes but the burden of subsidy the Centre was bearing was much more than the States. Before the amendments could be put to vote, there was confusion as the electronic voting machine did not work. For several moments, the House was at a standstill while the Chair and members discussed procedures: whether all similar amendments should be bunched up for a voice vote or they should be voted upon clause-wise. Looking visibly embarrassed, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House for 10 minutes. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the leader of the House, watched the proceedings in silence. Earlier, initiating the discussion on the Bill, BJP leader M. Venkiah Naidu blamed the Congress for the poverty in the country. “Indira Gandhi gave the slogan ‘garibi hatao’ in the 1970s. Now, 67 years after Independence, you are saying that 67 per cent of the population is food insecure. Who is to blame?” He also questioned the recent poverty reduction figures projected by the Planning Commission and said: “Either the figure of 67 per cent coverage of the food insecure population is bogus or the claim of decline in poverty levels is.” Mr. Naidu said the Bill was being touted as a “game changer” for the UPA, but it was noting but an “electoral gimmick.” BSP leader Mayawati said most of the schemes provided in the Bill already operated . According to Sitaram Yechury of the CPI (M), the objectives of the Bill — nutritional security, quality food and a life of dignity — were not commensurate with the provisions of the Bill.