Ration: Ruling LDF’s Rajbhavan march on Feb 18

Thiruvananthapuram: Intensifying its stir against the Centres PDS policy, the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF will organise a Raj Bavan march here on February 18.

The LDF meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Tuesday took the decision to hold the protest march, which will be attended by a large number of party volunteers from across the state.

Briefing reporters on the decisions of the meeting, LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan said the BJP-led NDA government has taken forward the policy of the previous UPA government that virtually resulted in the collapse of the ration system. He also alleged that the previous UDF government in the state took no initiative in implementing the National Food Security Act and only sought extension of time for its implementation aggravating the crisis.

Viswan said LDF would intensify its stir against the Centres wrong policies, which had destroyed the statutory ration system, a backbone of the states welfare programme. "The existing ration system should be restored in the state by any means. At least five kilograms of rice should be given to all families (without APL/BPL difference)," he told reporters at CPI(M) headquarters, AKG Centre here.

"LDF workers will take out a march to Rajbhavan on February 18 seeking to resolve the present crisis.Dharnas will be organised in all panchayats, municipalities and corporations on January 12. Marches will also be held in all constituencies to explain people about the crisis," he said. Viswan also said the state BJP was propagating that the crisis in PDS system was the mistake of the state government.