Food Minister KV Thomas introduced the Bill after withdrawing an earlier ordinance on it. But the India-Pakistan tensions cast a shadow on the process as leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that the government needed to come clean on the killings of the Indian soldiers.

"Border security is more important than food security. That's why the Defence Minister needs to clarify why there is a disparity between his statement made in the Lok Sabha yesterday and the Army's version of what actually happened," she said.

The AIADMK and the DMK, raised objections to the Bill even before introduction, saying Tamil Nadu's off-take of food would decrease if the bill becomes law. The DMK's T R Baalu said the party would move amendments. AIADMK's M Thambidurai called it the "national food insecurity bill".

Allaying apprehensions of the opposition, Thomas said the National Food Security Bill, 2013 incorporated recommendations of the Standing Committee. "For the first time in the world, food is being incorporated as a right. It protects the constitution and does not impinge upon the state," he said.