The Hindu : National : CPI condemns cut in food subsidy

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Sunday, Jan 08, 2006

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National

CPI condemns cut in food subsidy

Special Correspondent

`Government seems to be bent upon imposing burden on the poor'

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the All-India Forward Bloc have condemned the Government's decision to cut down food subsidy. Both parties have decided to oppose the Cabinet's decision to reduce the allocation of foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System with the latter also demanding a public debate on the food policy.

In a statement, the CPI said though the price of foodgrains released through TPDS for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families remained the same, it would impact the poor since the quantum of foodgrains allocated per family had been reduced. "Rather than improving and streamlining the public distribution system (PDS), the Government is out to dismantle it. The Government seems to be bent upon imposing burden and misery on the poor and reducing whatever meagre benefits they have while merrily handing out concessions to the affluent and corporate houses."

The Forward Bloc said food security was the fundamental right of the people and there should be universalisation of PDS.

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