Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Monday moved a motion on the much-touted Food Security Bill.
Accusing government of violating constitutional norms by issuing an ordinance when Parliament session was less than a month away, Jaitley said the Bill was "repackaging" of various existing schemes like PDS, mid-day meal and ICDS and there was nothing new in it.
Adding that he was not opposed to Food Security Bill in principle, Jaitley asked why the ordinance on the Bill was passed in such a hurry.
Speaking on a statutory resolution for disapproval of the Food Security Ordinance, Jaitley, who was joined by CPI-M, CPI and AIADMK in moving it, said it was issued in a hurry and less than a month of beginning of Parliament session.
"An Ordinance is brought if there is a matter of utmost urgency and it can`t await the Session of Parliament...What would have happened in 30 days that we couldn`t wait. The Constitution does not allow so...It is misuse of your right to issue an Ordinance," Jaitley said.
Questioning the hurry in issuing the Food Ordinance, he said, "At best, it could be aimed at reaping political benefits."
He alleged that the ordinance was issued only so that some states could roll out schemes. We have a federal structure and all the responsibilities under Food Bill rest with the states, noted Jaitley.
State Chief Ministers have said that they have superior schemes, with which they would like to continue, he added.
"The present food programmes with states have entitlements but no right. Now the entitlement will become a right (under the food security bill)," he said.
The Food Security Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 26.
Jaitley also said that the bill would result in cutting down on the number of people benefiting from the food scheme.
His party colleague Venakaiah Naidu said the Bill is a "gimmick" by the government as elections are a few months away and actually there will be no benefit for the people.
"For four and a half years you never thought of this. Suddenly a few months before elections you are rushing through this Bill...You suddenly bring it before elections," he said.
Questioning the logic behind the Bill, Naidu said, "The Planning Commission says poverty has come down. If poverty has reduced, then why are you bringing this Bill? There is no satisfactory answer to this."
The Food Security Bill, that seeks to provide 80 percent of the population with subsidised foodgrains, is a pet project of UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Earlier in the day, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for 15 minutes after uproar over the steep Rs 2.35 a litre hike in petrol price and 50 paisa a litre increase in cost of diesel.
Raising the issue soon after the House met for the day, Derek O`Brien of TMC said the fuel price issue should be discussed first as it concerns the people of the country.
Chairman Hamid Ansari then said the issue has been listed for Zero Hour.
But, TMC members supported by some Left members, continued to press for discussion on the issue.
O`Brien said the decision on raising petrol and diesel prices was announced outside the House when Parliament was in session.
M Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) supported him, saying besides the fuel price hike, the proposal to shut petrol pumps during night too needs to be discussed.
At this point, SP members led by Naresh Agarwal chipped in.
Ansari then observed, "I cannot do anything about it. There is an established practice of taking up Zero Hour issues."
He then asked the members if they wanted Zero Hour to be taken up or not.
With members persisting with their demand, he adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
Earlier, when the House met for the day, Naidu raised the issue of Rajya Sabha secretariat conveying to the media on Friday evening that certain remarks made by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley during debate on state of economy were expunged.
Some words from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s response to the debate were also expunged but they were shown on television throughout the day. "How did this happen," Naidu asked.
As Ansari said he will look into the issue, Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said Rajya Sabha Secretariat rang up television channels asking them not to run the remarks.
Najma Heputulla (BJP) said the procedure of deleting any comment made by any member is that it has to be brought to the notice of the Chair and it is he would delete them by putting his signature.
Ansari said the records will be checked.
(With PTI inputs)
