Parliament session in July likely to pass Food Bill

New Delhi: Moves appeared to be afoot to call a special Parliament session in July to pass two key bills, including the National Food Security bill.

A final decision on the issue will be taken after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from his foreign tour tomorrow, sources said.

While the dates for the session are being talked about as July 1-5, the government sources said that no schedule has yet been finalised.

Sources also said Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Food Minister K V Thomas are in favour of holding a special session of Parliament considering the Opposition's demand for detailed discussion on the Food Bill.

Kamal Nath is expected to hold consultations with allies and supporting parties on this issue.

The Prime Minister had hinted last week that government would soon chalk out its strategy for early passage of the Food Bill as also the Land Acquisition Bill.

The Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill are being seen by Congress as a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections, which are less than a year away.

The Food bill is the brainchild of party-chief Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson.

Reports said the idea of convening a special session of Parliament could be thought of by the Government in view of the fact that an Ordinance is 'not a good option' because legal right cannot be given to beneficiaries through an executive order without Parliament's nod.

Gandhi only last week had appealed to the NDA and other Opposition parties to come together and collectively help the government pass the two bills.

"These are not partisan issues. It is not a question of government versus the Opposition. These bills affect the lives and livelihood of millions whom we are committed to represent and benefit," Gandhi had said.

PTI