The commission’s deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has already expressed concerns over the food security situation, saying the commission has already suggested enhancing production of food grains. He had said that the key issue was not to provide food grains at a subsidised rate, but was rather making sure the availability of staple food at an affordable price. President Pratibha Patil in her address to the joint session of the Parliament too had mentioned that the government would consciously move forward to ensure food security for BPL families. It may be recalled that the Congress party in its election manifesto had also promised to provide 25 kg of rice or wheat a month to BPL families at Rs 3 a kg.

Sources say the coming Budget could see some kind of provisioning for providing food grains to about 7-10 crore BPL card-holding families before enacting any legislation for their food security. Sen suggested that there was a case for consolidation of food security schemes, like Antyodyaya, ICDS and the mid-day meal scheme.