The Centre asked the states to give their feedback on the draft National Food Security Bill at the earliest so that it can be introduced in Parliament in the forthcoming winter session.
The proposed Bill, the 2009 election promise of the UPA government, promises to make the right to food a legal right.
“So far, only a few states and Union Territories have sent their comments. Since this is an important legislation, I request the states to send their views at the earliest to help us finalise the bill for introduction in the Winter Session of Parliament,” Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting being attended by chief ministers in New Delhi on Saturday.
NDC is considering the Approach Paper for the 12th Plan beginning next fiscal.
Barring Bihar and West Bengal, none of the major states has sent in response, sources said.
Mukherjee said the views of the state governments are important because the implementation of the proposed bill is the joint responsibility of the Centre and the states.
“Both have to work together to procure the required quantity of foodgrains and ensure distribution to the beneficiaries through an effective delivery system.”
The Food Ministry had sent the draft bill to states in the first week of September seeking comments by the end of the month. The deadline has been extended till 31st October.
The draft Bill seeks to provide legal entitlement for subsidised grains to the 75 percent of the rural households in the country and 50 percent of urban household.
Stressing that revamping of the Public Distribution System (PDS) a pre-requisite for the effective implementation of the proposed bill, Mukherjee said that the state government should take time bound steps for computerisation of the supply chain management after the Task Force headed by Nandan Nilekani finalises the report on “direct transfer of food subsidy”.
The minister also asked the state governments to take steps to reform the Agricultural Produce Marketing Regulation (APMC) Act to reduce supply side constraints.
“It is important to reduce the gap between producer prices and retail consumer prices through an efficient supply chain management. The APMCs were established to protect the interest of farmers. However, in reality, the APMC system has led to monopolistic behaviour and reduced the choices available to small farmers,” he said.