(Image source from: UPA to table the Food Security Bill today — will other parties digest it?})

UPA government is all set to table its landmark Food Security Bill in the parliament today. And if all goes as planned, then the Bill might be passed in Lok Sabha today.

Betting on its peaceful negotiations with Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) who have already pledged their support in favor of Congress' flagship welfare legislation, the government is hoping to pass the Bill with minor amendments, if called for.

Under the Bill, 81 crore Indians will be entitled to receive rice at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 a kg and coarse grains at Rs 1 a kilo.

Food Minister K V Thomas, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel met SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday evening, close on the heels of a meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the strategy ahead for the food bill.

SP, which is right-arm of Congress-led UPA government, said that the party was ready to give a thumbs up to the bill if the government pledged to protect the interests of farmers and ensure they reap best profit for their produce.

"We discussed the various amendments moved by the parties as to which all can be accepted so that the bill can be passed easily," Nath said after the meeting called by the Prime Minister.

"We are looking at this situation that if it is an amendment which is workable, the government will move that amendment. It will come in as an official amendment," Nath told reporters outside Parliament House when asked about 200-odd amendments.

While Nath said no politics should be involved in the measure, Opposition leaders have been insisting no bill should be passed in the din.

(With inputs from Indian Express)

AW: Suchorita Dutta