The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Revise norms for issue of white cards, says CPI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 20, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Revise norms for issue of white cards, says CPI

Staff Reporter

Party to picket Secretariat on May 24 against unilateral decision

HYDERABAD: The city council of the Communist party of India (CPI) will take out a protest rally and picket the Secretariat on May 24 if the State Government did not revise the norms fixed for issuance of white ration cards.

The CPI city council secretary and State executive member, V. Ram Narsimha Rao, told mediapersons here on Thursday that the decision on white cards would have an impact on lakhs of poor people in the twin cities and it should have been taken after discussing it with the all political parties. Taking exception to the unilateral decision regarding eligibility norms, he wanted the Government to convene an all-party meeting.

Opposing the eligibility norms fixed by the State Government for white cards -- an annual income not exceeding Rs. 24,000 and depriving those living in 55 sq. yards or 500 sft houses of white ration cards as per GO.No.57 -- he reiterated that the annual income limit be raised to Rs. 36,000 and to do away with the GO.No.57.

Help unorganised sector

Mr. Rao said the annual income limit should be increased to make several workers in the unorganised sector like autorickshaw drivers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers and urban poor eligible for white cards. The directive that white card seekers should pay Rs. 45 for the family photos should also be waived.

Their other demands include restoring the quota of kerosene to 19 litres from the present 7 litres, increasing the number of Antyodaya and Annapurna cards to benefit the poor.

Stick to CMP

Supply of essential commodities through public distribution system was part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and the CPI would not tolerate any deviation from it, he said.

At present there were 2,11,286 white ration cards, 8,17, 584 pink cards and new cards to be affixed with family photographs would be given to the existing as well as new applicants. Until the distribution process of new cards is completed, commodities should be supplied on the old cards, he said.

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