Acquiescing to the pressure from allies and civil society groups, the government has decided not bring in the ordinance on food security bill for now.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, finance minister P Chidambaram said the government will convene a special session of discussion on the bill.

Earlier, the government had almost made up its mind to push the bill through an ordinance. The union cabinet was supposed to meet on Thursday evening to grant approval to the move.

The government had justified its ordinance route on the ground that the opposition had not allowed for discussion the bill when it was tabled during the monsoon session. 

The move was, however, deferred in the face of disapproval from civil society groups and keys allies. Union food minister KV Thomas, along with key UPA partner NCP, had expressed concern over taking the ordinance route.

The bill is an election promise made by the Congress party, which believes food security will help the party in general elections due next year. The bill proposes to provide rice at Rs rupees per kg, wheat at Rs 2 and millet at Re 1 a kilo.