Under pressure from the Left and allies like the DMK, the Congress today asked the UPA government to reconsider its decision to increase the price of wheat and rice under the public distribution system for families above the poverty line (APL), saying it would impose a major burden on an already “over-burdened” lot.“The decision is too harsh even for APL families.when prices of various items are on the rise,” AICC spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said.“While the Congress understands and appreciates the compulsion of the government to improve fiscal prudence, the increase in prices of wheat and rice will be a harsh burden on the people,” she said.The Left parties are already seeking a reversal of the government decision to cut food subsidies by Rs 4,524 crore by reducing the quantity of wheat and rice issued through the public distribution system and through government schemes for below the poverty line consumers. DMK president M. Karunanidhi has also written to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding a rollback of the government decision.“We want the government to review the entire decision ..and take a new look at the decision to raise the prices,” Natarajan said. —PTI
