SP will back food bill if ‘farmers are protected’

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Despite all the periodic hiccups, the ties between Sri Lanka and India have been inked in the blood of the peoples and soldiers of both countries

Swapan Dasgupta [1]

A dithering Samajwadi Party on Monday indicated it was ready to support the UPA’s ambitious Food Security Bill if the government promised to protect the interests of farmers and ensured they get profitable returns on their produce.

Samajwadi boss Mulayam Singh Yadav said: “If they promise that farmers’ interests will not ignored and they will get profits for their produce, then we can support the bill.”
Mr Yadav’s remarks seemed significant as they are in the backdrop of reports that the row over suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal could cast a shadow over the Congress’ bid to get the SP’s support on the food legislation.
When asked if the SP’s stand on the food law hardened after the Congress raised the IAS officer’s suspension, Mr Yadav said the two were not related, and “our stand on the Food Security Bill is known for a long time”.
The SP chief, however, hinted action against Ms Nagpal was taken to “prevent” communal disturbances. There is also a view that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who wrote to the Prime Minister on Saturday to ensure the officer was not treated unfairly, was “unnecessarily dragged” into the controversy and was not “apprised of the full facts”.