Scrap BPL, APL; reintroduce PDS : CPI to Centre

New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) Terming the government's steps for bringing down the prices of essential commodities ''inadequate'', the CPI today urged the Centre to scrap the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) phenomena and reintroduce Public Distribution System (PDS) ensuring adequate supply of foodgrains and other essential commodities to all at fixed subsidised rates.

The party feels that it is not enough to reduce the custom duties on few items and impose a curb on the export of rice except Basmati.

For pulses, which is most essential item of consumption of the common people, it is in the prices of petrol and diesel which must be withdrawn.

The ban on forward trading should be extended from present four commodities to all the 25 essential commodities. Dehoarding must be carried out in all States with cooperation from the people.

''Within a month of the presentation of the Budget, the prices have registered nearly 20 per cent increase across the board,'' the party said in a statement, adding that all assurances about the good impact of the Budget from April 1, has been proved futile.

The theories of imported inflation bring no comfort to the hungry stomach, the statement added.

The party has decided to launch a countrywide agitation against price rise.

UNI BKS SG VC2016