Left parties demand universalisation of public distribution

The Left parties today asked for the universalisation of the public distribution system and sought distribution of excess foodstock at BPL prices in order to curb high food inflation.

Top leaders of the four parties, which ended a five-day protest on the issue of 'food security for all' in New Delhi yesterday, met prime minister Manmohan Singh and submitted a memorandum to him demanding a minimum allocation of 35 kgs of foodgrains per month at the rate of Rs2 per kg.

CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat told PTI that they the prime minster was told that the distinction between APL and BPL be abolished and all sections of society excluding the rich be included in the PDS.

The prime minister indicated that the option could be considered by the government, according to Karat, who was accompanied at the meeting by S Sudhakar Reddy (CPI), Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc) and Abani Roy (RSP).

Maintaining that surplus stocks were available in government godowns, he said 25 lakh tonnes had already been exported by private traders who had been given foodgrains at subsidised prices.

Karat said, the parties believed that the foodgrains be distributed universally, particularly at a time when India faced one of its worst droughts. He added export of foodgrains was shortsighted and would benefit only big agri businesses. He called for stopping of   exports and distribution of the excess stock to the affected in the drought-hit states at BPL prices.

The four parties have decided to picket FCI godowns on 12 September to demand distribution of excess stocks to the poor and universalisation of PDS among other things.