LF draft manifesto promises universal PDS, foodgrains at Rs.2/kg

Stressing on food security, the Left Front in its draft manifesto for the West Bengal assembly election promised to provide food grains at Rs.2 per kg to the poor and making the the public distribution system universal.

Putting up the draft on its official website on Tuesday, the Communist Party of India- Marxist spearheaded Left Front has sought comments and suggestions from the public and assured those wouldAbe incorporated in the final document if found suitable.

The manifesto spelt out the LF's alternative policies, and promised to provide food grains at Rs.2 a kg to the poor with a family entitled to get a maximum of 35 kg per month. It also promises to provide pulses, sugar, edible oil and kerosene at subsidised rates. The LF also reiterated its known stand of bringing everyone under the PDS.

Incidentally, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, which has been doling out goodies on the common people through various schemes, in January had launched the Khadya Sathi project wherein nearly 8 crore of the population is entitled to get 35 kg of food grains per month at Rs.2 per kg.

Besides "re-establishing democracy" in the state, the Frontas electoral promises include land reforms, extending the financial and administrative powers of civic bodies, strict adherence of reservation policies, welfare of the backward and marginalised sections among others.