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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge rally at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu (PM Modi Jam
Uttar Pradesh juvenile Reform Centres to have CCTVs
Lucknow, Feb 19 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered installation of CCTV cameras in
The murder of chemist Umesh Kolhe in Amravati, Maharashtra was a big conspiracy and its purpose w
People have come on the road against the zero covid policy in China. These demonstrations, which
Ladakh Divisional commander-level talks of the two countries' armies will take place today, with
Two terrorists were killed by security forces in an encounter that took place after midnight on T
The third day of the Paris Olympics was a mixed one for India. On Monday, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjo
Sri Lankan president prays at Bodh Gaya
Pat Feb 17 (IANS) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Tuesday visited Bihar's Bodh Gaya a
Why are so many child deaths due to Covid-19 in Brazil?
It has been more than a year since the Coronavirus pandemic began and at this time the number of
Surprising reactions on mentioning Sanatan-Hindu are sad, Vice President Dhankhar said in JNU.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that it is ironic and sad that in India, the mention of Hind
