The government is expected to take a view and present it to the Parliament. The Bill seeks to create priority and general categories in rural and urban areas and issue to them appropriate ration cards to enable them to receive food grains at the rates applicable to them.
The Bill proposes that at least 46 per cent of rural and 28 per cent of urban households become priority beneficiaries, who should get rice at Rs 3 a kilo, wheat at Rs 2 a kilo and millets at Rs 1 a kilogram. The draft Bill urges the Government not to increase these rates for a minimum period of ten years from the date of notification of the Act.
The Bill proposes creation of a National Food Commission and State Food Commissions to oversee the implementation of the Act. These Commissions would have powers of a civil court to hold enquiries.
It also states that fair price shops for the delivery of subsidised food grains should be set up within 3 kilo meter of a habitation.