EGoM clears draft Food Security Bill

New Delhi, Mar 19 : Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) has cleared the draft of the Food Security Bill.

The Bill will enable every person Below the Poverty Line (BPL) to receive 25 kilograms of wheat or rice per month at the rate of Rupees three or 0.065 per kilogram.

"EGoM has no authority to take a final view on the (Food Security) Bill. Ultimately, the Bill will be decided and approved by the cabinet, that''s why EGoM decided that I should take this bill for proposal to the cabinet," Pawar told reporters here on Thursday.

Asia''s third-largest economy is recovering, with factory output surging, but food prices are growing at the fastest pace in 11 years and the government fears a backlash from millions of rural poor who are its main voters.

Rising prices have sparked opposition-backed street protests and left the government little elbowroom to push through financial reforms such as easing fuel price controls.