Stay clear of PDS, CPM warns Centre

The note recommends hiking of prices of foodgrains for below and above poverty line categories, cutting allocations to both these sections of ration card holders and cutting down the foodgrain component in all employment generation schemes.

The recommendations would reduce wheat availability by 60.5 lakh tonne and together with a price hike, it envisages a saving of Rs 5,814 crore in the food subsidy. ‘‘The CPI(M) cautions the Government against taking such steps,’’ the release said.

‘‘At a time when every measure has to be taken to protect the working people, the large majority of whom are in the unorganised sector where there is no dearness allowance, acceptance of these anti-poor recommendations will have a disastrous impact on the livelihood of crores of people and add to the inflationary trends,’’ it said.

The CPI(M) asked the government to respect the unanimous voice of Parliament, which was strongly against any weakening of the PDS and raising prices. ‘‘While states may be consulted in replacing some quantity of wheat with rice or coarse grains, there should be no move at all to cut the foodgrains quota as is recommended by the ministry,’’ the release added.