Chautala slams cellphone scheme for poor, says they need food

Alleging that the move was aimed at gaining political mileage, the INLD supremo, speaking at a rally in Ladayan village of Jhajjar district yesterday, accused the UPA government of "playing with the emotions" of poor people.

"These people need to be made food available on priority basis, instead of luxury items like mobile phone whose service providers will later start demanding money from them on the name of recharge," Chautala said.

He alleged that the UPA was "preparing base for another big scam" in the name of this scheme.

Chautala also accused Congress of "misusing public fund on a large scale, with an intention to remain in power by hook or by crook."

"Poor people are dying of starvation whereas crores of tonnes of food grain is rotting in government godowns and stores," he alleged.

He said while farmers were "ending" their lives due to acquisition of their farm land on "cheaper rates", the government remained busy making "tall claims" of their development.

"Now you have to decide whether you want to get the nation free from a corrupt and anti-people system or not, as the ball has come again in your court," Chautala said, referring to the Lok Sabha elections due in 2014.