Opposition parties today accused the government of trying to phase out public distribution system under the Food Security Act and to introduce a direct cash transfer scheme.
At an agitation organised by All India Fair Price Shop dealers' federation demanding an alternative employment, opposition leaders from BJP, Left, Trinamool Congress and Siromani Akali Dal said the scheme will result in the loss of employment.
"Such a scheme will not be of any help to the poor but availability of easy cash will result in the increase of anti-social activities" former BJP president Nitin Gadkari said.
Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said, "We do not accept the decision that the burden will be shifted to states. It will be a huge issue to accommodate a system like the PDS for cash strapped states like West Bengal."
Taking on the government over the proposed scheme, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury said his party has been opposing the scheme which is beneficial for the rich.
"We have been asking for the removal of APL and BPL systems and instead offer every family grains at subsidised rates," he said.
Fair price shop owners association General Secretary Biswambhar Basu said, "The system will not only result in the loss of employment for many of the shopkeepers as most of them depend on their shops for survival, the government needs to look into the welfare of these shop owners."
