At last NAC gave its node for subsidised food for 75 pc of Indians

New Delhi 23Oct,2010: The National Advisory Council (NAC) on Saturday finalised the draft Food Security Act and recommended subsidised food for almost 75 per cent of Indian citizens. The draft proposes giving wheat at Rs 2 per kilogramme and rice at Rs 3 per kilogramme.
The proposed act is expected to ensure subsidised grains to 90 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population.
Earlier, the National Advisory Council had proposed subsidy for 80 per cent rural and 33 per cent urban population. It had also recommended covering of over 14 crore households with 35kg rice at RS 3 per kg .The Planning Commission, however, rejected the proposal citing paucity of both grains and money.
The NAC proposal would now have to be passed by the Union Cabinet.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have promised to introduce the Food Bill in the winter session of Parliament.