CM follows Badal in promising cheap foodgrain for poor

Jalandhar, Dec 16 (UNI) Close on the heels of the electoral promise made by the Akalis to provide 'atta daal' at half rate to the poor Dalits, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today said the state government had decided to provide cheap wheat, rice and pulses to the weaker sections.

The announcement was made by Capt Singh at a function at the Trinity College here.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo and Leader of Opposition Parkash Singh Badal, had on December 8, announced at a politial congregation in Moga that the Akali-BJP combine, if voted to power, would provide flour and pulses at half rate to the poor Dalits.

Capt Singh today said the Congress government in the state would provide wheat and rice at Rs two per kg to the 'antyodaya' (poorest of the poor) families.

Besides this, the chief minister said that 4.6 lakh families below poverty line (BPL) in Punjab would get wheat and rice at the rate of Rs four per Kg.

The chief minister said that pulses would also be provided to the above categories at cheap rates but did not quote the rate.

The Union government had already sanctioned and released 18,000 tonnes of wheat under this special relief package for the deprived sections of society after he called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others concerned at the Centre for the purpose.

Capt Singh further said that his government had also decided to provide free power to all BPL families.

He said the Prime Minister had also expressed concern over the rise in the prices of eseential commodities and said that the Centre was also trying to address the situation.

He justified the UPA Government's step of importing wheat and said that stock was now serving the need of the people.

Capt Singh was participating in the function organised by the people of Christian community to celebrate Christmas.

Punjab Ministers Ch Jagjit Singh, Pratap Singh Bajwa, Avtar Henry and Ms Gurkanwal Kaur and Christian community leaders including Bishop of Jalandhar Dr Symphorian Keeprath were present on the occasion.

UNI SS PS VD HS1454