The Cabinet is expected to reconsider the Food Security Bill on December 19, 2011. The proposed bill is likely to cost Rs 2 lakh crore annually for the government. Earlier the annual cost was estimated at Rs 1-1.5 lakh crore, but the latest calculation by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) could show a higher outgo. The government is aiming to introduce this bill in the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
For the current financial year, the finance ministry allocated Rs 60,572.98 crore in the Budget for food subsidy. The bill is expected to make a provision for providing not less than 7 kg of food grains per person per month for the priority household. Around 48% of all rural households and 28% of all the urban households shall be selected as priority households. Under which, the families will get rice at not less than Rs 3 per kg, wheat Rs 2 per kg and coarse grains not less than Rs 1 per kg.
Moreover, not less than 75% of rural households and at least 50% of urban households will be entitled to get food grains at subsidized prices, which will include priority and general households. It is also proposed to provide not less than 3 kg of food grains per person per month for the general household per person per month. Pricing under this category will not exceed 50% of the minimum support price for wheat, coarse grain and rice.
The proposed Bill will also have special provisions for pregnant women. Any unemployed pregnant woman will get maternity benefits of Rs 1,000 per month for a period of six months. Not only that, she will also get rations or nutritious and freshly cooked meals free of charge during pregnancy and six months thereafter. This food will be provided by local anganwadis.
The bill further talks about nutritious take home rations and/or freshly cooked meals throughout the year through the local anganwadi for all children in the age group of 0-3 years. All children in the age group of 3-6 years will get freshly cooked meals in the local anganwadi for at least 300 days in a year.
The centre is also likely to prescribe guidelines for the identification of priority and general households. This will include exclusion criteria also, on the basis of which, state governments will identify the households, and the list will be displayed in public domain.