The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government succeeded in getting its ambitious Food Security Bill passed in the Lok Sabha by voice vote. The Bill, which seeks to entitle 67% of the country’s population — about 800 million people — to subsidised food, was passed after a six-hour debate in a late-evening sitting of the lower house. The Opposition, and even the Samajwadi Party (SP), which renders outside support to UPA, raised several questions — on future availability of food, financing of the ambitious programme and its long-term impact on farming practices in the country — but stopped short of opposing the Bill. Read More