Food bill to be taken up in Lok Sabha on Monday: Kamal Nath

The Food Security Bill, which could not be taken up despite being listed in the Lok Sabha'a agenda since Monday, will not be part of business on Saturday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath today said the Lok Sabha will function on Saturday but the Food Security Bill will be taken up for discussion and passing only on Monday.

There will be no sitting of Rajya Sabha on Saturday.

Parliament has witnessed several disruptions in the last week which have blocked the passage of the Bill. According to Parliament sources, moves are afoot to extend the monsoon session till September 4.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, the minister said the bill will not be taken up in the Lok Sabha as most of the leaders who want to speak on the key legislation will be away on Saturday.

"The House will function tomorrow (Saturday). But a large number of members and leaders have expressed that they are going to be away. Many members and leaders want to speak on the Food Security Bill," he said.

"So they have requested to the Speaker that the Food Security Bill should not be taken up tomorrow, but on Monday. So the Bill will be taken up on Monday," he said.

The minister said the Speaker will fix a date for the debate on the missing coal files in Lok Sabha.

Asked about the extension of the session beyond August 30 when it is scheduled to end, the minister said the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs will meet soon to decide on the issue.

On the protest of some of the suspended Seemandhra members of Parliament in the House, Kamal Nath said, "What happens in the precincts of the House has to be decided by the Speaker."