It’s a colossal dole that will impact production and push up prices without improving the condition of the hungry The Indian electorate has given an overwhelming mandate to the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hoping it will deliver development and good governance. The Congress-led UPA has been routed. This shows the people have rejected its hollow promises of access to the essentials of life as a matter of right. All through his election campaign, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi made a song and dance about a list of fundamental rights granted to people under the UPA dispensation. Among these, he talked loudest of the right to food to demonstrate that his party was sensitive to the livelihood concerns of the...
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Category: Targeting subsidies
Cash transfers: Food for thought
The ‘Direct Cash Transfer’ (DCT) of funds into bank accounts of beneficiaries began this month in 20 districts. It will cover the entire country by April 2014. But food and fertiliser have been kept out of its ambit. There are complex issues to be sorted out, the Finance Minister has said, without really giving an indication as to when the rollout in these critical areas will actually take place. Payments are estimated to be Rs 3,20,000 crore annually. The scheme is being bandied as a revolutionary reform that will bring transparency, enhance reach, empower poor, improve fiscal deficit and reduce corruption. The implementation if done in a manner as contemplated — correct identification of beneficiaries, inclusion of all deserving persons,...
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