Reservations over some parts of Food Security Bill: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP favours passage of the Food Security Bill but wants that objections of some states that already have an Act on the issue should be addressed.

"We have reservations with some parts of the Food Security Bill but we are ready to support the proposed legislation if certain amendments are made," BJP President Rajnath Singh told a news agency. Government plans to bring the Food Security Bill for discussion and passage during the second half of the budget session that began today. "Government should keep in mind that federal sentiments are not disturbed through this Bill. Some states already have their own Food Security Act and there should be no negative impact on them," he said. BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh has passed its own Food Security Act and its PDS has been hailed as highly successful as it has reached out to the poorest of the poor and there has been virtually no pilferage. BJP has also been demanding that a balance be struck between covering more people and giving more foodgrains to the very poor. There are reservations within the government as well to the Food Security Bill. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has reportedly pointed out that when the total population Below the Poverty Line is only 34 percent, why are 70 percent being covered under the proposed Act. PTI