Rahul Gandhi urges Congress leaders to take Food security scheme to the masses

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi termed Food Security Bill a historic legislation and urged the Congress leaders to publicise its import to masses.

In his opening remarks at a meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee presidents and Congress Legislative Party leaders in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said it was for the first time in the history of the country that any government had passed a legislation on the people's right to food.

The Congress leader asked them to disseminate information among the masses about the Bill's significance. As concerns were raised over anomalies in the PDS system, Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence that since the bill gives legal entitlements to people, it will build pressure on the existing institutions and bottom-up changes will happen. "We must first understand the whole thing and then party cadres should help people understand it. Government of India is bringing this bill which will revolutionize the life of people at those strata where people have struggled," added Rahul Gandhi.

Food Minister KV Thomas, in his address said that  a misconception existed among people that Public Distribution System would cease to exist after the Bill was implemented and asked them to dispel the notion. The Bill would plug the leakages existing in the PDS, he said.

Party spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said Congress had promised the right to food legislation before 2009 elections and it was imperative that "we fulfil the promise before we go to people in next elections"