The Lok Sabha will take up two important legislations – Food Security Bill and a bill to amend RTI Act in order to keep political parties out of its ambit - on Monday.
While there is near unanimity across the political spectrum on the issue of keeping political parties out of the ambit of the RTI Act, the government, despite the BJP announcing its support, will have to be cautious to ensure that Food Security Bill sails through. Food Security Bill Being seen as a 'gamechanger' by Congress for general elections scheduled next year, the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha last week after government rejected apprehensions that it would impinge upon the rights of states.
Food Minister KV Thomas had introduced the fresh Bill after withdrawing an earlier one along with the ordinance which was promulgated on July 5.
Moving the National Food Security Bill, 2013, which promises to give right to the country's 80 crore people to get 5 kg of foodgrains every month at Rs 1-3 per kg, Thomas had said there is nothing in it against the states.
As per the provisions of the Bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. These rates would be valid for three years.
Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children up to 14 years would get free meals.
In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries, as per the Bill.
RTI Act amendment A bill to amend RTI Act in order to keep political parties out of the ambit of the transparency law is slated to be introduced in Lok Sabha by the government.
The bill will be introduced in the Lower House by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy.
The Union Cabinet had on August 1 cleared a proposal to amend the RTI Act to give immunity to political parties.
The Cabinet's decision had come nearly two months after the Central Information Commission's order of bringing six national political parties — Congress, BJP, NCP, CPI-M, CPI and BSP — under the RTI Act.
The government may propose an amendment in Section 2 of the Act, which defines public authority, to shield the political parties, official sources said.
The proposed amendments will make it clear that the definition of public authority shall not include any political party registered under the Representation of the Peoples Act, they said.
The CIC had in its order on June 3 held that the six national parties have been substantially funded indirectly by the central government and were required to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) as they have the character of a public authority under the RTI Act.
The order of the transparency watchdog had evoked sharp reactions from political parties, especially Congress which has been credited with bringing in the transparency law.
The decision to amend the RTI Act was taken by the ministry of personnel, which acts as nodal department for the implementation of the Act, in consultation with law ministry and was based on consensus of all political parties, the sources said.
While there is near unanimity across the political spectrum on the issue of keeping political parties out of the ambit of the RTI Act, the government, despite the BJP announcing its support, will have to be cautious to ensure that Food Security Bill sails through. Food Security Bill Being seen as a 'gamechanger' by Congress for general elections scheduled next year, the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha last week after government rejected apprehensions that it would impinge upon the rights of states.
Food Minister KV Thomas had introduced the fresh Bill after withdrawing an earlier one along with the ordinance which was promulgated on July 5.
Moving the National Food Security Bill, 2013, which promises to give right to the country's 80 crore people to get 5 kg of foodgrains every month at Rs 1-3 per kg, Thomas had said there is nothing in it against the states.
As per the provisions of the Bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. These rates would be valid for three years.
Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children up to 14 years would get free meals.
In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries, as per the Bill.
RTI Act amendment A bill to amend RTI Act in order to keep political parties out of the ambit of the transparency law is slated to be introduced in Lok Sabha by the government.
The bill will be introduced in the Lower House by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy.
The Union Cabinet had on August 1 cleared a proposal to amend the RTI Act to give immunity to political parties.
The Cabinet's decision had come nearly two months after the Central Information Commission's order of bringing six national political parties — Congress, BJP, NCP, CPI-M, CPI and BSP — under the RTI Act.
The government may propose an amendment in Section 2 of the Act, which defines public authority, to shield the political parties, official sources said.
The proposed amendments will make it clear that the definition of public authority shall not include any political party registered under the Representation of the Peoples Act, they said.
The CIC had in its order on June 3 held that the six national parties have been substantially funded indirectly by the central government and were required to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) as they have the character of a public authority under the RTI Act.
The order of the transparency watchdog had evoked sharp reactions from political parties, especially Congress which has been credited with bringing in the transparency law.
The decision to amend the RTI Act was taken by the ministry of personnel, which acts as nodal department for the implementation of the Act, in consultation with law ministry and was based on consensus of all political parties, the sources said.
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