Click to play videoNew Delhi: Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has always taken a keen interest in the right to food act, a legislation that the Congress party had promised in its election manifesto. A few months back she had written a detailed letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh articulating her vision. However, the draft ready to be placed before the Cabinet has very little of what the Congress president wanted. Has economic pragmatism prevailed over what was initially promised?
Following are the points of contention:
- Sonia Gandhi: 35 kilos at Rs 3 a kg.
- Sharad Pawar: 25 kilos
- Sonia Gandhi: Makes no distinction between APL and BPL families.
- Sharad Pawar: Only for BPL families.
- Sonia Gandhi: Does not say which poverty estimate to follow, but includes vulnerable groups.
- Sharad pawar: Planning commission decides on poverty figures.
- Sonia Gandhi: Emphasises on food grains and not allowance.
- Sharad Pawar: Proposes a food security allowance.
Despite his meager numbers, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is on a strong wicket this time because finance minister Pranab Mukherjee is on his side.
Pranab and Pawar do not want a ballooning food subsidy bill or promise what might be difficult to deliver.
Sharad Pawar referring to the clearance of the bill by the Empowered Group of Ministers, said, "EGoM cannot say yes or no ... cabinet will do that."
The Congress President has not been able to convince her own party.
Congress spokesperson Abhiskek Manu Singhvi sadi, "It is better to have an imperfect legislation rather than no legislation.”
Is the right to food only the right to 25 kilos of cereals ... critics point out that people are already getting this and much more... will Sonia Gandhi be able to swing this one for the aam aadmi.
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