Hyderabad, March 14: “There is a need to discuss the cash transfer scheme and the Aadhar Card Bill in Parliament,” Communist Party of India ( Marxist) state secretary B V Raghavulu said.
He alleged that the Centre was trying to dilute the Public Distribution System (PDS) and social welfare programmes by introducing Cash Transfer Scheme.
Speaking at a meeting on Cash Transfer Scheme and Adhar Card Bill organised by CPI(M) state committee here on Sunday, Raghavulu demanded that the Centre revive the Universal Public Distribution scheme to rein in corruption in the system. He alleged that the Centre was trying withdraw subsidies to food grains, oil and fertilisers next year as the cash transfer scheme would be in place. The Food Corporation of India would be closed if the cash transfer scheme is implemented, he said. “The government is diluting social welfare schemes as the Aadhar Cards would be linked with welfare schemes,” he alleged. He wanted that the government to take steps to control irregularities in the schemes but not to withdraw the schemes.
CPI senior leader Chada Venkat Reddy also wanted the Centre to take stern action against errant officials for ineffective implementation of social welfare schemes. “There is no need for new schemes if the government strictly implements the current programmes,” he said. He also demanded that Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu must declare his stand on the money transfer scheme.
CPI(ML) New Democracy leader DV Krishna, CPI(ML) Gurram Vijaya Kumar, RSP leader Janaki Ramulu, MCPI(U) leader M. Venkat Reddy and Forward Block state president Murali Deshapande also spoke.
–Agencies