Speaking at a press conference at Patrakartara Sangha in the City on Thursday, he said 35 kg of food grain at Rs 2 per kg should be given every ration cardholder. The rally has also been organised to protest and to prevent further hike in prices of commodities. The workers and members of various association should take part in large numbers to make the rally a grand success, Bharatraj expressed.

India accounts for 50 per cent of the hunger deaths that occur in the world. Every year 5,000 children die out of starvation in the country, expressed Bharatraj who said that India is ranked 134th by the United Nations in the Human Development Index.

However, Indian government gives a tax concession of Rs 700 crore per day to 100 big capitalists in the country amounting to Rs 2,52,000 crore a year! expressed Bharatraj who said if government allotted Rs 1,24,000 crore to PDS to provide subsidised food grain to people many lives could be saved.

The ruling BJP government in its election manifesto had promised to provide food grains at Rs 2 per kilo. It has failed to keep up its words and instead it has been casteist in its attitude and is promoting religious radicalism. The government to the contrary has sanctioned the valuable funds to mutts and religious organisations, Bharatraj alleged.

Federation’s district unit Secretary Sampangi and taluk unit Secretary K V Manjunath were present in the press conference.