The Delhi BJP on Tuesday staged a protest against cut in food grains entitlement to the poor under the Food Security Scheme of the Delhi Government and accused it of failing to curb rocketing prices of essential commodities.
Police used mild force and water canons to disperse the protesters led by Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel. He alleged that the Government was reducing the entitlements of food grains under the programme and said that it would add to the woes of the marginalised section of the society which has already been bearing the brunt of spiralling prices of kitchen staples.
“The proposed scheme will reduce entitlements of food grains. Earlier, every household was entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month, but now a family of three will get only 15 kg of food grains, while a family of four will get 20 kg. Similarly, a family of five will get only 25 kg. The BJP is not against the programme, but there should be adequate increase in entitlements so that the poor and lower income groups are not adversely affected,” Goel said.
Hundreds of BJP workers had gathered at the Delhi BJP office and they marched from there to Talkatora Stadium. They carried placards and raised slogans against Government’s failure to bring prices of essential commodities under control. Former Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta, MlAs Jagdish Mukhi and Ramesh Bidhuri were also present. The party also opened a stall of onion there. “Despite tall claims of the Government, prices of onions continue to soar. Instead of criticising the BJP, the Government should take effective measures to control prices,” Goel added.