NEW DELHI: The All-India Workers' Union (AIWU), the All-India Agricultural Labour Association (AIALA) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) on Monday protested the proposed increase in the prices of foodgrains and cut in allocations to beneficiaries under the Targeted Public Distribution System.

The CPI-ML and AIALA announced a nation-wide protest against the move on June 7. "Any such measure is tantamount to a direct attack on the livelihood and food security of millions of people and will increase fears of more starvation deaths. It will further deepen the crisis already engulfing rural India," said Swadesh Bhattacharya, CPI-ML Polit Bureau member and vice-president of the AIALA.

In a letter to Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the AIWU expressed "grave concern" at the Food Ministry's recommendations on "prudent food management", submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

"Let it be clear that the sort of subsidies being provided ought to be increased — not decreased — as is evident from the Government's policy to allow the Australian Wheat Board, Cargill and other foreign grain companies to buy wheat at Rs. 750 to Rs. 850 per quintal from the market and hoard it. They have deprived government procurement agencies which pay Rs. 650 to Rs. 700 per quintal, and that too not cash down as private companies do. This will lead to spiralling wheat prices and starvation of those unable to afford them."

Norms changed for U.S, firms

The AIWU alleged that the Government had contracted five lakh tonnes of wheat at Rs. 950 per quintal. "Now, the U.S. companies with sub-standard wheat have strong-armed the State Trading Corporation for another contract of 30 lakh tonnes, for which moisture content and safety norms have been changed."They demanded that all wheat imports from multi-national companies be stopped and all instances of hoarding in the market place be strictly monitored.The AIWU said all agricultural labourers and marginal farmers should be given Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and cheap foodgrains be made available to them through a uniform Public Distribution System.

The grain component under welfare schemes should not be reduced. All fallow and ceiling surplus lands should be distributed to the landless at subsidised rates in order to increase farm production and to ensure food security.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail