New Delhi :Indias lower house of parliament has passed Food Security Bill that aims to provide subsidised food to two-thirds of the population.
Under the plan, which still needs to be approved by the upper house, 800m poor people would receive 5kg (11lb) of cheap grain every month.

Its backers argue it is a big step towards eradicating the widespread hunger and malnutrition plaguing India.

The ambitious legislation will cost 1.3tn rupees a year.

The government launched the programme last week by executive decree, but requires parliamentary approval to make it permanent.

In a rare speech to parliament on Monday, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi urged lawmakers to clear her partys flagship welfare scheme, which she said was part of an “empowerment revolution” worthy of unanimous support.