5 things you need to know about Food Security Bill-Ordinance at a glance Guarantees legal entitlement for cheap food to 67% of population To ensure 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarse cereals is supplied at Rs 3 a kg, Rs 2 a kg and Rs 1 a kg, respectively, to all identified beneficiaries THE COST When implemented fully, it is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 1,24,724 crore, Rs 34,724 crore more than the 2013-14 Budget estimate of food subsidy WHY AN ORDINANCE? When tabled in the Lok Sabha, the food security Bill could not be passed because of pandemonium during the Budget session Highlights the govt's urgency to bring the programme ahead of the polls, especially because it expects Parliament's monsoon session to be a troubled one THE WAY FORWARD The ordinance comes into effect as soon as the President gives his go-ahead Then, it will need to be passed in both Houses within six weeks of the next Parliament sitting HURDLES Political parties have widely divergent views on the Bill and the route taken to implement it
