CPM reads Congress the riot act
Stung by the Congress’ criticism of the Left Front government in West Bengal, the CPM on Tuesday retaliated saying that it should worry about the malnutrition deaths in states controlled by the Congress.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Stung by the Congress’ criticism of the Left Front government in West Bengal, the CPM on Tuesday retaliated saying that it should worry about the malnutrition deaths in states controlled by the Congress. While refuting that there were food riots in West Bengal, the CPM hit back at the Congress saying elements who want a mahajot are trying to incite violence on the issue of ration distribution.
In a clear signal that the Left and Congress were all set to play the roles of rivals, the attacks and counter-attacks are intensifying amid the widening rift over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Describing the Congress statement as “intemperate and ill-informed”, the CPM said the centre’s policy to cut allocations to APL sections had caused problems. “There are no food riots in West Bengal although some elements who want a mahajot are doing everything possible to incite violence on the issue of ration distribution so as to disrupt the entire system,” the CPM polit bureau said in a statement here.
The Congress recently alleged that the food riots reflected the “enormous deficiencies” in availability, distribution, pricing and regulatory systems in West Bengal. It also said “those who profess concerns for the poorest of the poor should immediately set their own house in order.” The Congress apparently hit a raw nerve setting the CPM out on a “we will get back at you” mission.
The CPM statement defended the Left Front government and said “the major problem is the huge cuts in allocations to the APL sections by the central government bringing it down to just over three per cent of the initial allocation.”
The CPM also said that the Congress’ remark that it is an anachronism to talk of food riots in a country proud to flaunt a booming economy reflected a “total disconnect between the Congress perceptions and the reality of widespread poverty”.
Further, the CPM said “in this booming economy 3500 tribal children in five districts of Maharashtra have died due to malnutrition in the last year. The Congress would do well to also study the recent report of the National Family Health Service which shows that malnutrition has increased in the last few years. Indeed, India has the highest number of malnourished people in the whole world.”
The party also reminded the government that this was the reason the Left was demanding reversal of food policies from the targetted to a universal Public Distribution System.
In a clear signal that the Left and Congress were all set to play the roles of rivals, the attacks and counter-attacks are intensifying amid the widening rift over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Describing the Congress statement as “intemperate and ill-informed”, the CPM said the centre’s policy to cut allocations to APL sections had caused problems. “There are no food riots in West Bengal although some elements who want a mahajot are doing everything possible to incite violence on the issue of ration distribution so as to disrupt the entire system,” the CPM polit bureau said in a statement here.
The Congress recently alleged that the food riots reflected the “enormous deficiencies” in availability, distribution, pricing and regulatory systems in West Bengal. It also said “those who profess concerns for the poorest of the poor should immediately set their own house in order.” The Congress apparently hit a raw nerve setting the CPM out on a “we will get back at you” mission.
The CPM statement defended the Left Front government and said “the major problem is the huge cuts in allocations to the APL sections by the central government bringing it down to just over three per cent of the initial allocation.”
The CPM also said that the Congress’ remark that it is an anachronism to talk of food riots in a country proud to flaunt a booming economy reflected a “total disconnect between the Congress perceptions and the reality of widespread poverty”.
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Further, the CPM said “in this booming economy 3500 tribal children in five districts of Maharashtra have died due to malnutrition in the last year. The Congress would do well to also study the recent report of the National Family Health Service which shows that malnutrition has increased in the last few years. Indeed, India has the highest number of malnourished people in the whole world.”
The party also reminded the government that this was the reason the Left was demanding reversal of food policies from the targetted to a universal Public Distribution System.
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