People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXIX

No. 33

August 14, 2005

  Demands For The Countrywide Movement

 

Following are the demands relating to food issue on which the central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has given a call for waging of a countrywide movement in the months of August and September of this year. The other two central issues in the campaign are land and employment

 

FOOD

Ration System

  1. Universalisation of PDS

  2. In the interim, issue BPL cards to all those denied cards. Change criteria for identifying BPL beneficiaries.

  3. Antyodaya to be expanded.

  4. Sugar to be included at subsidised price. Expansion of commodities in the rationing system.

Food for Work Programme

  1. End dual system in prices – all foodgrains to be calculated on BPL prices by Centre and allocation increased.

  2. Permit state governments to extend programme to other priority areas outside identified backward districts.

  3. Decentralise schemes and assist projects according to local requirements. No involvement of contractors.

  4. Minimum wages notified at the state level to be ensured. All workers to be time-rated as opposed to piece-rated.

  5. Immediately revise food for work programme guidelines and ensure decen tralisation, people’s participation, inclusion of other areas, 30 per cent for women.