(a) whether the draft National Food Security Bill has been approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) before forwarding the same to the appropriate Department/Ministry;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the time by which it is likely to be introduced in Parliament;
(c) whether the States have been consulted on the provisions of the Act; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): Based on recommendations of the National Advisory Council (NAC) and Expert Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and comments/suggestions received from the Central Ministries/Departments, States/UTs, experts and other stakeholders, the Government have prepared a draft National Food Security Bill and placed before the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on 11.07.2011. In pursuance of the directions of the EGoM, the draft Bill has been got vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice. After consultations with States/Union Territories and Central Ministries/Departments on the vetted Draft Bill, approval of Government at the appropriate level will be obtained before its introduction in the Parliament.