Missing files din buries Food Bill

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New Delhi: The relentless furore in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday over the missing files on coal block allocations scuttled the government’s attempt to push through the UPA’s  ambitious National Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill is now expected to be  taken up in the Lower House only on Thursday. The Opposition has demanded a  response from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the missing coal files.
Sensing an opportunity, an aggressive Opposition paralysed proceedings in both  Houses as coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal insisted that “no stone would be left unturned” in tracing the documents to be provided to the CBI, and that he was “ready to  accept any punishment” if he was found guilty.
The Food Bill, that provides for entitlement of highly-subsidised rations to two-thirds of  the nation’s population, was listed for debate in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the 69th birth  anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
But it could not be taken up as the Opposition created a ruckus over the missing coal block files. Congress MP Jagdambika  Pal, who was in the Chair for the first time, made repeated appeals for taking up the Food  Bill, but to no avail.
“This House has a long tradition of not disturbing a new member making his maiden speech. Since this is my first day, as you all have reposed faith in me, I would appeal to you to cooperate and help in running the House,” Pal said.
3 cheers for Food Bill
The prospect of the food security ordinance getting endorsed with the passage of the related Bill brightened on Tuesday with the Samajwadi Party indicating its support, though with some conditions, and the JD(U) offering an unequivocal backing.
The SP will push for  amendments to protect farmers’ interests, and also to improve its nutritional value by including pulses.
The BSP has also expressed in-principle support to the government’s “game-changer” Bill.
“It will benefit so many people. That is why we have decided to support it,” JD(U) spokesman K.C. Tyagi said. He said the legislation will benefit 86 per cent of people in Bihar, where his party is in power, and 70 per cent in the country.
The JD(U), which appeared to have come closer to the Congress after snapping ties with BJP, has 20 MPs in Lok Sabha and eight in Rajya Sabha.
Tyagi said UPA government has accepted two of the three amendments in the bill moved by his party. The Samajwadi Party, which held a meeting of its Parliamentary Party to decide the view of the party on the bill, put conditions for extending support.
Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said SP will back the legislation provided amendments suggested by it are accepted. “If the amendments are accepted then it is well, otherwise we will oppose it.”