BJP supports special session on food bill
3 Jun 2013 5:25 AM IST
With United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies meeting on Monday, to discuss calling a special session to pass the Food Security Bill, the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) on Sunday made it clear that it will not create hindrance in passage of the bill.
‘There are media reports that government is considering the option of an Ordinance or to convene a special session of Parliament. The ordinance route for such an important legislation is not desirable. We are not opposed to a special session of Parliament,’ tweeted leader of Opposition Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj .
 The BJP leader, however, in her tweet added that a ‘better option will be to prepone the Monsoon session which is anyway due in July’. It is learnt that the government is planning to call an all party meeting, to discuss the issue. Â
The BJP in the past had stated that it has no opposition towards, the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill. However, it does want a few changes to be incorporated in the bill.
BJP’s coming on board over the bill is crucial for the government which could not pass it in the Budget session because of disruptions by opposition.
Aiming at clearing the hurdles for the food security bill, the Congress core committee on Saturday decided that parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath would start consultations with major parties for a special session.
If that fails, the core committee decided that the government should go for an ordinance, an emergency provision to pass laws, pending Parliament’s ratification.
The Bill, perceived as the welfare agenda of Congress, promises to give two-thirds of India’s population a legal right to cheap food.
‘There are media reports that government is considering the option of an Ordinance or to convene a special session of Parliament. The ordinance route for such an important legislation is not desirable. We are not opposed to a special session of Parliament,’ tweeted leader of Opposition Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj .
 The BJP leader, however, in her tweet added that a ‘better option will be to prepone the Monsoon session which is anyway due in July’. It is learnt that the government is planning to call an all party meeting, to discuss the issue. Â
The BJP in the past had stated that it has no opposition towards, the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill. However, it does want a few changes to be incorporated in the bill.
BJP’s coming on board over the bill is crucial for the government which could not pass it in the Budget session because of disruptions by opposition.
Aiming at clearing the hurdles for the food security bill, the Congress core committee on Saturday decided that parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath would start consultations with major parties for a special session.
If that fails, the core committee decided that the government should go for an ordinance, an emergency provision to pass laws, pending Parliament’s ratification.
The Bill, perceived as the welfare agenda of Congress, promises to give two-thirds of India’s population a legal right to cheap food.
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