<p>A misunderstanding among the treasury benches on a key clause that seeks to do away with cash transfers in lieu of food grains almost got deleted as the National Food Security Bill was being voted upon in a long, dreary process that stretched over three hours.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj had moved an amendment to Clause 8 of the Bill to delete a provision that enabled governments to give a food security allowance in lieu of food grains. Swaraj’s amendment had already been defeated by a voice vote after which Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had moved for a vote to keep Clause 8 as part of the bill.<br /><br />Confused, the treasury benches voted against the move, thinking that the Speaker had put the amendment moved by Swaraj to vote after the Opposition members had sought a division.<br /><br />Only 101 members voted in favour of keeping Clause 8 as part of the Bill, while 251 voted against. The Opposition members rejoiced seeing the result, much to the discomfiture of the government.</p>
<p>A misunderstanding among the treasury benches on a key clause that seeks to do away with cash transfers in lieu of food grains almost got deleted as the National Food Security Bill was being voted upon in a long, dreary process that stretched over three hours.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj had moved an amendment to Clause 8 of the Bill to delete a provision that enabled governments to give a food security allowance in lieu of food grains. Swaraj’s amendment had already been defeated by a voice vote after which Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had moved for a vote to keep Clause 8 as part of the bill.<br /><br />Confused, the treasury benches voted against the move, thinking that the Speaker had put the amendment moved by Swaraj to vote after the Opposition members had sought a division.<br /><br />Only 101 members voted in favour of keeping Clause 8 as part of the Bill, while 251 voted against. The Opposition members rejoiced seeing the result, much to the discomfiture of the government.</p>