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.
The ongoing worldwide corona infection has affected people of all age groups, although even after
The number of corona patients in the country has increased to 51 lakh 18 thousand 605. A record 9
Salinisation posing threat to Sunderbans: Study
Kolkata, Feb 2 (IANS) Accumulation of salts in the soil leading to reduced fertility (salinisat
After sacking Team India's selection committee, BCCI is now eyeing T20 captain Rohit Sharma. It i
CUET 2022: The University Grants Commission i.e. UGC has given a big gift to the students of the
Press Council must get more teeth, says Prasar Bharati Chief
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Expressing concern at the &ldq
Automobile companies have started releasing October sales figures. The country's largest car manu
All flights to the Middle East canceled: Many airlines decided Israel-Lebanon tension; See list
Keeping in mind the safety of passengers amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, many major
The Modi government is preparing to present the first budget of its new term. This is the first b
Google Doodle: Parsi New Year has started, Google made a doodle, know about it
Nowruz is celebrated on 19 March. Nowruz is also called Parsi New Year. On the occasion of N
