This is the one of the outstanding bill of UPA govt. It may be criticized by some (only about 10%) people who are rich and do not know what is hungry. When govt gives lacks of cores to the corporate people and big industrialist, no body question. When 67 per cent of poor are addressed with 5 kg of corns for feed their stomach, this 10 per cent affluent society people get upset. To maintain balance between 'haves and have not', it is the golden policy. But it should not be used only for the 2014 election purpose. It should be used for long run growth of the economy.
(contd..)..So, FSB or even an efficient PDS is not an end in itself and the govt. should not feel that they have done their job for the poor. A low level of food inflation and affordable food market for poor is essential complementary part if India is to be a real welfare state for poor. Sonia-MMS govt. must realize that 65% population cannot just survive on their FSB doles but govt. must ensure low rate of food inflation too. For that the central policies and state govts’ administrative measures . must go hand in hand and both should work together to ensure adequate production, streamline supply chain & distribution, curb profiteering by hoarders, middlemen etc. Sonia madam has given the FSB alright but she also seem to have turned India into her Italy as far as food prices are concerned. The way economy is floundering with the Rupee crashing everyday to a new low eating away the purchasing power of common man very soon only the rich and upper middle class could afford food grains from open market. Rest of the population—poorest of poor,AA, BPl,APL and middle-middle class will be pushed to survive on Sonia’s doles. It should not be too long under Sonia-MMS govt. that even a family of 4-5 earning Rs. 40K a month will need BPL if not AA card.
The overwhelming support the FSB got in both Houses from members cutting across party lines is an indicator that politicians could just not dare to be seen to oppose the basic concept of FSB. The opposition wherever seen was mostly for ‘inadequacy’ and only handful oppose it for reasons of economics. Virtually everyone was more concerned about ‘who takes the credit’. Amidst all this political one upmanship the main idea behind concepts of Hunger, nutrition,PDS,open market prices,inflation… all seem to have lost relevance. Why should 65% be covered ? Are 65% hungry ? Will FSB ensure that not even one Indian sleeps w/o food ? Is FSB an alternative to high food inflation ? First, it must be understood that FSB,PDS and other social security measures are primarily empowering provisions for low income and underprivileged poor people to enable them have some surplus money for spending on non-food items like transport, education, health, minor luxury as also to be able to buy from open market the shortfall of food grains from PDS. Even BPL and AA card holders just cannot survive solely on PDS/FSB.For such a system of society to be viable the pre-requisite is to keep the food inflation firmly under check. Labourers, rickshaw puller,thelafellow,plumber,mason,carpenter,electrician… the poorest of poor are also dependent in a big way on the open market, small eateries for their daily working and livelihood.
Now Man Mohan Singh & Company, you have won one battle by getting it passed in both the Houses.Now the Nation wants to know from where money will come to implement all the schemes that you have launched. Why not to start with Petrol Prices should be brought to Rs.50.00 per ltr. which is every where. You name the country it is around Rs.50.00. Also diesel should be brought to this level. Let the corruption should be plugged from today itself. Also all the Petrol Pumps and Gas Agencies which our leaders, MPs, MLAs owns, should be taken back from them and put to auction. The next issue take back all the Coal Blocks which you have gifted to mafias, your MPs & Ministers & auction them. Do some concrete work. Merely closing down petrol pump will not serve any purpose. You start with it. Other suggestions would automatically pour in. At least you bell the cat.Other options are also there.......
Another big vote bank gimmick by ruling party at tax payers cost, let us see the guts of govt. how much these corrupt politicians as well as Govt. servants will contribute out of their kitty of perqs. which is 250% of their carry home salary. Even if they reduce their perqs. by 25%, whole amount will come out. But for them-people are the goats to be butchered.
