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India Parliament Likely To Debate Food Program
BBC NEWS, INDIA
August 5, 2013: India's parliament has begun its key monsoon session where the government will seek to push through a giant program to provide subsidized food to two-thirds of the population. The food security ordinance has to be ratified by the parliament within six weeks of its first sitting otherwise it will lapse. More than 30 bills are expected to be taken up for passing into law. They include key bills on reforms in insurance and pensions.
The last few sessions of parliament were frequently disrupted by opposition MPs protesting against corruption and the government's reforms plans.
Ahead of the opening of the session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought the cooperation of opposition parties to make it "constructive and productive".
Ambitious program
"I sincerely hope all sections of the house will cooperate in making this a very productive, constructive session," Mr Singh said over the weekend.
One of the key bills which will be taken up for passing into law is the ambitious National Food Security Bill, which will cost 1.3 trillion rupees ($23.9bn; £15.8bn) a year, and is being called one of the world's largest welfare schemes. Under the new law, the government will provide 5kg of cheap grain every month to nearly 800 million poor people.
Critics say the plan is a political move to win votes and will drain India's finances. Supporters say it will help reduce poverty.
Last week's controversial decision by the government to create a new Telangana state out of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh is also likely to be debated during the monsoon session. Telangana with a population of 35 million comprises 10 of Andhra Pradesh's 23 districts. There have been protests after the announcement and ruling Congress party legislators have resigned in protest.
Some political parties have also sought an amendment to the right to information law to keep them out of its ambit. Last month, India's transparency watchdog the Central information Commission said six national parties will come under the law's ambit, a move they have resisted.
The monsoon session is expected to take up 32 bills for consideration and voting into law over a period of 16 sittings. It will end on 30 August.
