National Day of Action

PBKMS and SMS rise to the call for observing a national day of action given out by the Right to Food Campaign

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) and Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) have organized outreach programmes and taken up social action initiatives to show complete solidarity with the demands of the Right to Food Campaign. We along with various people's associations in West Bengal have began advocating for reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS). The PDS should be bolstered to respond to the impending food crisis arising out of factors, not limited to the general deprivation levels of the vulnerable population, an unplanned nationwide lockdown, the pandemic induced slowdown, a decelerating economy and loss of community ownership over natural resources, compounded by a non-responsive political leadership.

Glimpses of our activities during the day have been shared below:

PBKMS takes out a rally in Barabazar block, Purulia

Community members with posters in Dhansura village, Purulia-2 block, Purulia

PBKMS women members in a rally in Barabazar block, Purulia

Organized red (and white) army of PBKMS women members in Lubudih village, Balarampur block, Purulia

             

Poster Campaign in full swing in Hutmura gram panchayat, Purulia 2 block

Members participating in a rally in Hura block, Purulia

Children taking out a rally in Talatala village, Mathurapur 2 block, South 24 Parganas

Farmers taking a break from harvesting activities to demand reforms in PDS in Patharpratima block, South 24 Parganas

PBKMS members in front of 'Dhaner Golas' in Achintanagar village, Patharpratima block, South 24 Parganas

SMS members during a 'thala bajao' campaign in Kultuli block, South 24 Parganas

Preparation for a rally in Dhopahat village, Mandirbazar block, South 24 Parganas

We demand the immediate implementation of the following measures to ensure food security for the working class, which is guaranteed by the article 21 of the Indian constitution:

• Extension for one more year of free rations and pulses under PM-GKAY from December
• Restoration of free rations of the RKSY-2 ration card holders
• Rations per head per month of 14 kilograms of food grains, 1.5 kilograms of pulses and 800 ml of edible vegetable oil
• Universalization of the PDS and hence immediate coverage of non-ration card holders