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CPI(M) demands supply of 14 commodities through PDS

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the government to take immediate steps to distribute 14 essential commodities at subsidised rates through the public distribution system.

Secretary of the CPI (M) V.Perumal said in a statement here that the secretariat of the Puducherry unit of the party which met here on Saturday had highlighted this demand in a resolution.

The United Progressive Alliance government had scaled down the quantity of essential commodities allocated to the States, though it had been stated in the common minimum programme that all the people would be covered under the PDS, he said.

However, in States ruled by the Left Front, 14 essential commodities had been supplied through the PDS, he pointed out.

As the prices of essential commodities had been skyrocketing, the government should come forward to supply them through the PDS at subsidised rates, Mr.Perumal said.

Introduction of six essential commodities for supply through the PDS in Puducherry did not evoke any positive response from the people as they were sold at a price on a par with the market rate, he added.

Demanding distribution of 14 commodities including rice, wheat, sugar, pulses and edible oil at the fair price shops, he said the government should also provide 25 per cent subsidy on the cost price.

The CPI (M) favoured the continuance of the free rice scheme, he said, adding that the government should introduce a scheme to supply quality rice at the rate of Rs.2 a kg as it had been done in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Though the Central government announced that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act would come into force in all the districts on April 1, it had not taken off in the Union Territory. Even the preliminary works relating to the scheme that was aimed at providing 100-days work had not been completed in Puducherry, he alleged.

In Tamil Nadu, the government had fulfilled the preliminary work and steps had been taken to start bank accounts for the beneficiaries in the State, Mr.Perumal said. He called for early steps to begin the work in the Union Territory.

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