New Delhi, January 10
Succumbing to pressure from Left parties and UPA allies, the government today put on hold the decision to reduce the quantity of foodgrains under the public distribution system, amounting to a subsidy of Rs 4,500 crore, the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, said here today.
“I am not executing the decision on food subsidy cut. The entire decision has been stayed. I will discuss this issue with UPA people,” Mr Pawar said.
The government’s move comes a day after the Congress too expressed its unhappiness with the Cabinet decision to cut the food quota.
Mr Pawar said: “I am going to explain the entire position behind the food subsidy cut to the Congress, CPM and the CPI….until we sit together on this issue, the decision will not be executed.”
Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a launch of a new scheme on dairy/poultry venture capital fund, he said the decision to reduce food subsidy was focussed on only those above poverty line (APL) and not for those families who are below the poverty line (BPL).
