PM calls for stopping communal forces; urges parties to unite against divisive forces

New Delhi, August 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called upon political parties to unite against divisive forces which try to spread communalism, on the occasion of Sadbhavana Diwas in New Delhi.

Dr Singh said there is a need to ensure communal forces do not create a divide in the society.

He was addressing a gathering on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award ceremony.

On the occasion, the Sadbhavna Award was conferred on Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for his immense contribution in promoting communal harmony, peace and goodwill.

Prime Minister said, "As you all know, this award is instituted in the memory of our late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi devoted his entire life in empowering our society. He knew it very well that our country would develop if we are ready to accept other's religion, language and ideology and respect it. Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution in the discovery of Modern and progressive India will always inspire us".

Sonia launches the food security programme

The ambitious Food Security programme scheme is launched by UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit at a function in Talkotara Stadium in New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi, while flagging-off the scheme at a function in Talkatora Stadium, said that nearly 80 crore people in Delhi will benefit from Food Security scheme.

The Congress chief further said that after the launch of the scheme "no poor person will go hungry," adding that "We have to be responsible for the poor now ."

The scheme will be beneficial to 6.27 lakh living Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL) card holders and Jhughi Ration Card (JRC) holders and beneficiaries under Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY).

Calling the scheme as Rajiv Gandhi's dream, she said, "It was his dream that is taking shape today."

The Food Security Bill, expected to be a game-changer for the ruling Congress, aims to provide subsidised foodgrain at prices much below the market rate to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people; the bill would thus benefit about 800 million people.

The bill, part of the Congress manifesto for the 2009 polls, is expected to bring electoral benefits, just as the rural job plan, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, is credited with the second term that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won in the 2009 polls.

The bill will cost the government around Rs.1,24,723 crore and will entail an additional burden of only Rs.23,800 crore, the Congress has said.

The Food Security Bill was first introduced in Parliament in Dec 2011.

It remained with a standing committee for a year, before it was taken to the Lok Sabha for consideration and passing in the budget session that ended May 8.

Haryana and Uttarakhand have also rolled out the Food Security programme on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's 69th birth Anniversary.

The identified beneficiaries will start getting highly subsidised food grains from the 1st of next month.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda launched the Food Security programme at Panipat, whereas other Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries launched the scheme in their respective constituencies.

In Uttarakhand, the Centre-Sponsored Food Security Scheme has been launched by the State Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in Dehradun.