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BJP endorses move to hike foodgrain prices

The parliamentary party meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, today approved the government's decision to hike prices of foodgrains sold through the public distribution system, or PDS.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting in New Delhi, party spokesman M Venkaiah Naidu said the government, "Will go ahead with its decision."

The meeting was presided by Home Minister L K Advani, in the absence of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is indisposed.

Public Distribution Minister Shanta Kumar defended the rationale behind the government's decision to hike issue prices of rice and wheat through PDS.

Giving statistics, he explained that as per the revised decision, people living below poverty line will now get 20 kg of rice at Rs 118 against the earlier pricing of Rs 155 for the same quantity. Similarly, wheat will cost the poor Rs 90 now compared to Rs 105 before the hike.

Making a comparison of PDS prices during 1984, Kumar pointed out that rice was costing the poor Rs 84 for 20 kg. There is not much of a difference in issue prices then and now. Therefore, the Congress has no right to cry wolf, he contended.

He asked the members to explain the rationale to the people. The meeting commended the government's efforts to tackle the drought situation inflicting seven states of the country.

Members decided to contribute one month's salary to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund towards drought relief.

UNI

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