New Delhi: As Parliament continues to be disrupted by Opposition protests against the government over a slew of issues- mainly coal-gate and the JPC report on the 2G scam — the ruling UPA is considering moving an ordinance for two of its key bills on land acquisition and food security.
The government introduced amendments to the Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, but could not get it passed as Opposition members stalled proceedings in the House over the killing of Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan and other issues.
Food Minister KV Thomas moved amendments to the National Food Security Bill, which was originally introduced in Parliament in December 2011, but no discussion could take place on it.
The proposed Food Bill, the UPA government’s ambitious social welfare programme, aims to provide legal right over subsidised foodgrains to 67 per cent of the population.
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill piloted by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is also on the legislative agenda of Lok Sabha.
Amid talk that the Budget Session could be cut short in view of the Opposition’s stalling tactics, the government has given clear signals that it wants to go ahead with these ambitious measures.
The Land Acquisition Bill has provisions for a humane, transparent process to acquire land for industrialisation, infrastructure development and urbanisation.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said it was incorrect to say the government’s concerns were over with the passage of the Finance Bill.
“All other bills in my view are equally important and I think an effort must be made to pass them,” he had said.
Though the Budget Session is scheduled to end on May 10, a section in Congress party was of the view that it should be cut short in view of the continuous stalling of Parliament by the Opposition.(Agencies)