That is despite having one of the world's biggest food subsidy programmes.

Indonesia has raised planned food subsidy spending in its revised 2008 state budget.

Kibaki's statement said the cabinet agreed a food subsidy programme should target the most affected communities.

Buying for the current food subsidy system has already led to massive stocks of wheat and rice.

The ambitious bill, a priority for Congress President Sonia Gandhi, will raise India's annual food subsidy spending by 45 percent.

The ambitious bill, a priority for Congress President Sonia Gandhi, will raise the annual food subsidy spending by 45 percent.

The expansion of the food subsidy, already substantial at 0.8 percent of GDP, will hurt wobbly public finances.

The pact, which precedes a meeting this weekend of the Group of 20 major economies, allows India to continue its extensive food subsidy program.

Since 2011, the federal government's Nutrition North Canada food subsidy program has tried to make perishable, nutritious foods transported to the north more affordable.

While India has several schemes already running to battle malnutrition, the Indian government is now vaunting a multi-billion-dollar food subsidy programme as a possible solution.

While India has several schemes already running to battle malnutrition, the Indian government is now vaunting a multi-billion-dollar food subsidy program as a possible solution.

Mazzone asked for the food subsidy bill to be brought before the portfolio committee to "allow Parliament to comprehensively scrutinise if such expenditure is warranted".

Food subsidies cost the government over 30 billion pounds annually.

There was also concern regarding the ballooning bill for oil, fertilizers and food subsidies.

Anything which the current government does to change food subsidies will be liable to reversal.

There are plans to extended government food subsidies further.