A populist gimmick India can ill-afford

In yet another demonstration of fiscal profligacy, the Cabinet has rushed through the Food Security Bill ignoring reservations from some senior union ministers and experts. The Bill has gone back and forth between the National Advisory Council that mooted it and the government for almost a year now. A decision on the Bill was deferred by the Cabinet a week ago following questions raised by UPA constituents, Sharad Pawar and Farooq Abdullah, who argued that it would shoot up the government’s subsidy bill and there would not be enough foodgrains to implement it. This Monday it was cleared with little discussion and no changes. 

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