'To clear bill, govt may opt for executive route'

If the ambitious food security bill gets stuck in Parliament due to the ongoing logjam, the government may opt for executive route to roll out the proposed benefits to the poor, food minister KV Thomas told HT on Friday.

If the ambitious food security bill gets stuck in Parliament due to the ongoing logjam, the government may opt for executive route to roll out the proposed benefits to the poor, food minister KV Thomas told HT on Friday.

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The Bill aims to provide 5 kg of grains per entitled person every month for 67% population.

"We can start the targeted food handouts by issuing executive orders. But it would not give the beneficiaries the legal right for food," he said. Efforts are, however, on from the government's side. Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath met Opposition leaders like Basudeb Acharya (CPM) to seek support for the food bill and the land bill.

As time is running out, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Friday called Thomas for a status report on the bill. "She has also formed an informal panel of four ministers to talk to the Opposition," said Thomas.