The Food Security Bill is going to be taken up afresh by the empowered group of ministers on Monday, on the back of relentless demands from activists to widen the ambit of the bill, with regard to quantum of ration and number of beneficiaries.
The EGoM, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, will examine the draft in light of demands to increase monthly entitlement of foodgrain from 25kg provided for in the draft to 35kg in keeping with a Supreme Court order besides expanding the list to include beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
The meeting comes just after the setting up of Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council, seen as a Planning Commission for the social sector.
NAC, which set the stage for NREGA under UPA-1, is expected to play a key role in shaping the food security scheme as well.