BJP flays National Food Security Act
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 18 2013:
The National Food Security (NFS) Act, the Congress Government's brain child, is an act which would deny poor people foods of their choice, said BJP State unit core committee member Dr RK Ranjan.
Dr Ranjan was speaking at a political conference organised by the BJP Thanga Mandal at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang Bazar yesterday.
Dr Ranjan who is vying for BJP ticket to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha election in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency said the NFS Act is anti-poor.
To feed poor people with the variety of rice given under the Act and denying other varieties chosen by people is nothing violation of fundamental rights.
In case BJP is elected to power, the party would ensure that people enjoy the freedom to choose food items they prefer, he claimed.
Saying that the charm of Loktak Lake and the benefits it provided to the people of surrounding areas have been destroyed by Loktak Project, Dr Ranjan asserted that the Loktak Project which was taken during Congress rule had submerged several hectares of paddy fields.
He went on question if the project is providing any benefit to people even though NHPC has been earning huge profits.
Although the Loktak Protection Act 2006 was enacted in the aftermath of sustained mass movements to protect the lake, the same Act has turned out to be an instrument of oppressing fishing families.
It was during the incumbent Government that a large number of huts built on phumdis were burnt and several hundreds of fishing families rendered homeless.
People are never taken into confidence when any development work is taken up in and around the lake.
BJP is the only party which would allow people's participation in chalking out development programmes.
Dr Ranjan further appealed to the gathering to support him in the coming Lok Sabha elections so as to dethrone the Congress Government.
BJP State unit treasurer Robin Blackie remarked that the sun is setting for Congress party.
The Congress party's symbol palm is for the poor before election but after election the palm goes to the rich.
Media affairs secretary L Basanta said that BJP has launched its election campaign in order to win back India from the hands of Congress.
General secretary (administration) Ashwini Kumar too spoke at the conference.