Letters: People-friendly schemes

This refers to the editorial “Mouth and money” (October 29). Rationing and the public distribution system (PDS) were enforced to ensure an equitable supply of foodgrain at reasonable prices. It is difficult to explain the price rise when such schemes are in vogue. Any scheme brought forward by the government soon falls into the hands of unscrupulous elements.

Milk was in short supply before 1970. Verghese Kurien set up the Anand model of cooperative dairy development. The scheme spread across the country and, as a result, milk and milk products are available in plenty at fair prices today. A similar scheme can be started to increase farm produce. Processing units could be set up near farms under the cooperative system. Processed and packaged products with prices labelled on them can be marketed through farm produce sales depots or agents, as in the case of milk. Such a scheme will benefit both producers and consumers.

L Shravanthi, Vadodra

Readers should write to:
The Editor, Business Standard,
Nehru House,
4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi 110 002, Fax: (011) 23720201; letters@bsmail.in