After West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stalled a decision on the National Food Security Bill, the Centre has learnt a lesson: it is likely to approach the Trinamul Congress
supremo to get her on board before moving ahead with this landmark legislation.
Food minister K.V. Thomas will try to meet Ms Banerjee to understand her point of view and offer clarifications. The Union Cabinet is likely to meet Sunday after the Prime Minister returns from his trip to Russia to take up the Food Bill and a “reworked” Lokpal Bill. It is learnt Ms Banerjee’s letter had raised many objections to the Food Bill, and sought additional funds for the states to implement it.