New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS): Several central government schemes for the poor have failed to benefit them in the past so efforts should be made to ensure proper implementation of the food security programme, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati Monday said.

"Had even 50 percent of schemes made for the benefit of poor been implemented properly, we would have been able to eradicate poverty among 50 percent of our population," Mayawati said during the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the food bill.

Mayawati also questioned the need for the food security programme when there were already several food subsidy schemes running in the country.

"Why were state chief ministers not consulted before the scheme was made? The scheme has to be implemented by the states and their views were not taken," she said.

"Many political parties are linking the food bill to the coming general elections... we also see truth in this," she said.

The BSP leader also demanded an increase in the quantity of food to be given to beneficiaries under the scheme and called for maintaining quality of food.