New Delhi:
The Congress will roll out its flagship programme - the food security scheme - in the states it governs from August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The decision came today at a Congress chief ministers' meeting, which was chaired by party president Sonia Gandhi.
Thirty-four party leaders, including chief ministers of 14 Congress-ruled states, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries and members of Congress Core Group, attended the meeting. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Food Minister KV Thomas were also present at the meet. Mr Thomas gave a detailed presentation on the scheme.
Today's decision comes days after the government rushed through an ordinance that has to be now ratified within six weeks of its tabling in Parliament. The ordinance is already in trouble with the main opposition, BJP, also seeking changes and accusing the government of trying to bypass a debate in Parliament by bringing in an ordinance.
"Earlier, states used to get rice at Rs 5/kg from the Centre. Under the food security scheme, they will get it at Rs 3/kg. So, now they will be able to save more," Ajay Maken, Congress' in-charge of the communication department, told the media.
The push for the ordinance was reportedly based on suggestions from the Election Commission that state elections will be announced by September 22. That means the model code of conduct will kick in, which prohibits the government from announcing any big policy that could impact voting.
The Rs. 1.25 lakh crore welfare scheme aims to give cheap food to nearly 70 per cent of the population, and has been planned as a centre-piece of the ruling Congress party's plan to win a third term in power. The ambitious scheme, championed by Mrs Gandhi, will raise the annual food subsidy spending by 45 per cent. Under the scheme, rice will be available at Rs. 3 a kilogram, and wheat at Rs. 2 a kilogram. The monthly supply ranges from three to seven kilograms per person, depending on their level of income.
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme and the Food Security Act are being considered as major moves by Congress ahead of 2014 like the farmers' loan waiver scheme and MNREGA announced during its previous term. Both were credited among other things for the return of UPA to power in 2009.