The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Thursday deferred a decision on the Food Security Bill — which seeks to entitle families below the poverty line to rice and wheat at Rs.3 per kg — due to the indisposition of Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said a decision on the Bill could not be taken due to Mr. Pawar’s absence and the issue would be taken up for consideration on his return.
Mr. Pawar underwent surgery for a mouth infection in Mumbai on Wednesday.