Food Security Ordinance is a political gimmick : TMC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 22 2013:
The Food Security Bill drawn up by the Congress-led UPA Government which is being implemented in the form of ordinance is a political gimmick of Congress party aimed at winning over voters ahead of the Lok Sabha election, asserted Trinamool Congress State unit president and ex-MP Kim Gangte.
Speaking to media persons at their Hotel Excellency office today, Kim Gangte remarked that the Food Security Ordinance sounds rather absurd even though it promises five Kgs of rice every month at the rate of Rs three Kg for the traders are free hand to hike prices of all other essential commodities at their own sweet will.
Censuring the Food Security Bill/Ordinance, the ex-MP questioned whether people can survive only on rice.
She went on to ask, "How can the majority poor survive when the Government is unable control prices of other essential commodities?" .
It remains doubtful that people would get any benefit from the ordinance given the incumbent Government's poor record regarding distribution of BPL rice to the people.
The ordinance is a policy of the Congress Government drawn up with a view to the Lok Sabha election.
If one realises the real agenda behind the National Food Security Agenda, people would reject the same ordinance.
She also accused bureaucrat officers of working in the interest of the Government rather than working for people's welfare.
Noting that rice and dal were left in godowns to rot away, Kim Gangte questioned the Government's failure to distribute the same items to the people, particularly people living in interior areas of hill districts in time before they got rotten and wasted.
She claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee banned sale of chicken meat in West Bengal when its price exceeded Rs 150 per Kg.
There is no authority in Manipur to check price hike and traders are taking full advantage of the situation.
The situation needs immediate and collective intervention of the mass and political parties irrespective of their ideological differences, Kim Gangte said.
She further questioned the Government's silence on the issue of disconnected and unfit highways which has resulted in closure of oil pumps.
If the incumbent Government does not know how to exercise authority, the best option is to relinquish power, she suggested.
She further urged to make necessary arrangements in order to ensure that career of aspiring medical students are not spoiled.