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.
Rs.2 lakh to kin of train accident dead: Prabhu
New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said Rs.2 lakh compensation
The southern districts of Tamil Nadu are facing floods these days. Air Force and Army are engaged
South Korean company Samsung can launch its new smartphone at the end of this month. Information
Jhumpa Lahiri wins 2015 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature
Jaipur, Jan 22 (IANS) The 2015 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature has been awarded to Jhumpa L
The Prime Minister's vigorous rallies are continuing in the election state Madhya Pradesh. PM Mod
Taliban challenges Pakistan over Durand Line
The possibility of increasing tension between the two countries is now clearly visible on the Dur
Rajasthan Revenue Minister Harish Chaudhary has expressed his intention to step down. He has also
Rs.149.48 bn tax-free budget in Tripura
Agartala, Feb 11 (IANS) Tripura Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha Wednesday presented a Rs.149.48
It is better to go to class than agitation; High Court's advice on hijab controversy
The Karnataka High Court has given a big piece of advice on the hijab controversy going on in the
Obama meets Congress party delegation
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) US President Barack Obama met a Congress party delegation Monday after
