Lok Sabha passes food security bill

The bill is a pet welfare legislation of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was taken ill during the eight hours-long debate and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here for observation.

In a speech heard in silence in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi, 66, declared: "The food bill is meant for the less fortunate sections of our society. It is a historic step to eradicate hunger.

"It is time to send out a big message that India can take the responsibility of ensuring food security for all its citizens," she added, to loud thumping of desks by ruling coalition members.

The bill, a part of the Congress election manifesto of 2009, is widely expected to be a game-changer for the ruling party as it prepares for the 2014 general election.