The CPI(M) warned the UPA government against increasing prices of foodgrains supplied under Public Distribution System.
NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) on Sunday warned the UPA government against increasing prices of foodgrains supplied under Public Distribution System saying it would have a disastrous impact on livelihood of crores of people.
A Cabinet note on 'prudent food management' by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution system "is a serious assault on the PDS, food security and food sufficiency," a CPI(M) release said.
"It is a clear violation of the assurances made on this issue in the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government."
The note recommends hiking of prices of foodgrains for below and above poverty line categories, cutting allocations to both these sections of ration card holders and cutting down the foodgrain component in all employment generation schemes.
The recommendations would reduce wheat availability by 60.5 lakh tonnes and together with a price hike, it envisages a saving of Rs 5,814 crore in the food subsidy.
"The CPM cautions the UPA Government against taking such steps," the release said. "At a time when every measure has to be taken to protect the working people, the large majority of whom are in the unorganised sector where there is no dearness allowance, acceptance of these anti-poor recommendations will have a disastrous import on the livelihood of crores of people and add to the inflationary trends," it said.
CPM asked the Government to respect the unanimous voice of Parliament, which was strongly against any weakening of the PDS and raising prices. "While states may be consulted in replacing some quantity of wheat with rice or coarse grains, there should be no move at all to cut the foodgrains quota as is recommended by the ministry," the release added.
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