Include all people under PDS!

Studies show that for almost 2/3 of the Indian population average annual food intake is below the minimum nutritional level of consumption. During periods of high food inflation those who suffer from lack of adequate food intakes goes up. The demand of Left Parties to the government to distribute the surplus stocks at subsidized prices to the needy and deprived people is appropriate. Their contention that export of food grains is short-sighted and will only benefit big agribusinesses, particularly at a time when India is facing one of its worst droughts, is meaningful and worth consideration. The distinction between the above and below poverty line in India is flawed and the estimates made by the Planning are unrealistic. Therefore, until the controversy about above and below poverty line is settled, there is nothing wrong in distributing the surplus stocks at subsidised prices to check high food inflation.

Dr.C.Murukadas, The Hindu, Aug. 5, 2012.