NEW DELHI, Oct 29:
A move is afoot to rename the public distribution system (PDS) after Indira Gandhi as ‘Indiramma Anna Yojana’ in a bid to cash in on implementing the National Food Security Act and to prevent the Opposition claiming any credit.
A final call on the proposed name will be taken by the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“We have finalised a new name ‘Indiramma Anna Yojana’ for the existing Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) after discussing with the Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh,” Food Minister K V Thomas told.
A Cabinet note will be moved soon for approval, he said, adding categorically that the existing PDS will be renamed and not the legislation.
Apart from renaming the PDS, Thomas said the government is considering having a logo for the scheme for better reach. “We are planning to announce a logo design contest to choose the best one for the schemes,” he said.
Noting that the Centre is more focusing on strengthening PDS, the Minister said: “Distributing foodgrains in five kilo packs via PDS will reduce wastage and pilferage. We are discussing this issue with Punjab and Andhra Pradesh and other producing states.”
With Lok Sabha elections not far away, the thinking in the Congress-led UPA government is that late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s name would help it electorally in view of her pro-poor image.
The food security law, a brainchild of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, could be projected as the unfinished task of Indira Gandhi’s ‘Garibi Hatao’ campaign launched in the 1971 elections.
Last month, Parliament passed the food law to give 67 per cent of the population the right to subsidised foodgrains.
Each eligible person would get five kilograms of foodgrains per month at Rs 3 per kg of rice, Rs 2 per kg of wheat and Re 1 per kg of coarse cereals through the state government under the TPDS.
Congress leaders want the government to ensure that non-Congress parties don’t take credit for schemes run and funded by the Centre. They have complained about BJP-ruled states such as Chattisgarh taking credit for the food law.
Congress-ruled Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh have already announced the launch of the food law. Other states are preparing to roll it out. (PTI)
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