Left, progressive groups to start agitation for the improvement in PDS

PUNE: Various progressive and left parties and outfits are coming together under the banner of ‘Yalgar Morcha’ to start statewide agitations demanding betterment in the Public Distribution System, lowering public health costs, etc. These protests will begin from Gevrai taluka in Beed district from July 10.

The protests will demand better food grain and resource availability through the PDS. 

“People are going hungry in the country. The Prime Minister is going around giving speeches. We don’t want bhashan (speeches), we want rashan (ration),” said Vishal Kadam, the young activist who will lead the Gevrai protest, adding, “We demand that kerosene, sugar and oil should be included in the Food Security Act (FSA) and made available through the PDS.”

Kadam said not just ration but other demands too are on the agenda. 

“We see the poor suffer in times of rising disparity. Malnutrition and poverty are hampering the progress of communities.” 

He said, “We are demanding that the hiked public health care costs should be brought down, Right to Education should be extended from kindergarten to postgraduation.”

The protests will begin from Gevrai in Beed district. “Gevrai has a significant history as the first protest demanding the implementation of the Food Security Act, began from Gevrai,” Kadam said, adding, “We will begin by gheraoing the tehsil offices and take these protests to the State and later to other states as well. We’re sure the government will have to fulfil these demands.”

The Yalgar Morcha is being organised with active participation and support from various progressive and left outfits, like the 

Lokshasan Andolan led by BG Kolse Patil, Sharad Yadav led Loktantrik Janata Dal, CPI (M), CPI and others. “Ashok Arora, ex-secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Council will also be present in Gevrai to guide the protesters,” Kadam said.

The Yalgar Morcha is being organised with active participation and support from various progressive and left outfits.