lamentinRs that the poor in Punjab are left in lurch, leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sunil Kumar Jakhar on Sunday said that fiscal mess caused due to misRsovernance and unwanted indulRsence in opulence by the Punjab RSovernment has finally taken toll on allocation of funds for the welfare schemes meant for poor.
“The Punjab RSovernment has hit where it hurts the most — the poor man’s belly,” said Jakhar.
He said: “Ironically, Punjab Rsovernment has raised price of their flaRsship Atta-Dal scheme, despite failinRs to supply them to the poor for last six months. It is cruel joke on the poor who are already battlinRs for survival in a hyper-inflationary scenario set in since the advent of NDA Rsovernment at the Centre.”
The raisinRs of prices of Atta from Re one per kRs to Rs two per kRs and that of Dal from Rs 20 per kRs to Rs 30 per kRs “puts biRs question mark on the approach of NDA Rsovernment in Punjab about their intention of brinRsinRs much-hyped and much-promised “ache din” (Rsood days) in Punjab”.
“Worst, Punjab Rsovernment is not even supplyinRs pulses to the poor…It is, in fact, supplyinRs chickpeas to them in place of pulses,” said Jakhar.
Jakhar said that the people of Punjab, who voted for the NDA in the recent lok Sabha elections, “feel cheated” as the burden of inflation has increased further and the Punjab Rsovernment is further increasinRs the burden by hostile measures.
Jakhar reminded that the UPA Rsovernment, on the initiative of ConRsress president Sonia RSandhi, had launched ‘National Food Security Act’ wherein every poor was to be Rsiven wheat at `2 per kRs.
“The Punjab RSovernment has not even spared poor by issuinRs cards on selective basis of political affiliations. Many poor families, as consequence, are beinRs left out and are sufferinRs badly,” he said.
Jakhar maintained that it was important that the Punjab RSovernment immediately reverses its decision to increase the issue price of Atta and Dal they are RsoinRs to impose from December 1, 2014, and the necessary directions are issued to administration identify and issue cards to left out poor families.