CPI(M) seeks withdrawal of proposed NFSA amendment
Image for representation only. | Photo Credit: File Describing the proposed amendment to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which seeks to change the entitlement criteria under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) from a household-based system to a per capita system, as “anti-poor”, the CPI(M) on Tuesday accused the Union government of attempting to gradually dilute and weaken the legislation. The party demanded that the proposed amendment be withdrawn immediately. The government has proposed increasing the food grain entitlement to 7 kg per person from the present 5 kg per person. This change does not help larger households either, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said in a statement, pointing out that the entitlement would continue to remain capped at 35 kg per month, regardless of family size. At the same time, the party said it would substantially reduce the food grain entitlement of smaller households, which are currently guaranteed the full 35 kg under the existing scheme. The amendment would, the Left party said, “disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society,” including elderly …
