New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS) Accusing the BJP-led central government of "killing the purpose and intent" of the National Food Security Act, 2013, the Congress Saturday said it was a "crude attempt to make a mockery of the crores of toiling poor of India by the BJP".
The Congress also criticised it for giving cash to the poor instead of subsidised food grains.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the BJP government had become anti-farmer and anti-poor.
"The BJP government is preparing to kill the purpose and intent as also soul and spirit of the Food Security Act by reducing the number of eligible beneficiaries from 67 to 40 percent," he said.
The Congress leader held Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for it saying that nobody could have done it without his permission.
"This recommendation (of reducing number of eligible beneficiaries) was made by a committee constituted to examine the Food Security Act by Modi," he said.
He criticised the government for making an "anti-farmer" amendment to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 by way of an ordinance.
"It exposes the anti-poor and farmer face of the ruling dispensation," Surjewala added.
The Congress leader also questioned the BJP whether its "intent and motive behind supporting the Food Security Act, 2013 in parliament was to subsequently kill its soul and spirit on formation of the BJP government".
He said that when the Shanta Kumar committee, set up to examine the Food Security Act and to reconstitute the Food Corporation of India (FDI), has proposed direct cash transfer of food subsidy even to the remaining 40 percent beneficiaries instead of providing food grains over the next three years, how the poor would buy food grains at the prevailing market prices with the small amount of subsidy.
The Congress leader also wondered that when all this was being done whether the government would also stop procuring wheat, paddy and other crops at the Minimum Support Price to maintain its existing well defined food stocks after the commencement of the direct cash transfer policy.
"It's all inter-linked, the government must explain to the nation what its plans were," he said.
Amateur photographers begin young in Chandigarh (Lifestyle Feature)
Chandigarh, Feb 5 (IANS) On weekends Chetan Jain, 23, goe
HC refuses to immediately lift ban on BBC documentary
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to immediately revoke the
Tensions between the US and China have increased once again. China alleges that two advanced U-2
The trailer of Dasvi Official Trailer starring Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan, Yami Gautam, a
The activists of the Hindu organization have made a big claim about the Jamia Masjid located in M
Air travellers faced significant difficulties on Thursday. More than 300 IndiGo flights were canc
The Drug Controller General of India DCGI has approved Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use
Buy an 8GB RAM smartphone for office work, more storage, and fast charging
Nowadays people do their office work the most on laptops and phones. Through phone calls, WhatsAp
Corona vaccination will start in the country from 16 January i.e. Saturday. Prime Minister Narend
Amitabh-Ravi: Ravi Kishan praised Amitabh Bachchan for 'Kalki 2898 AD', Big B greeted him with a hug
Amitabh Bachchan is currently enjoying the success of his recently released film 'Kalki 2898 AD'.
