In a statement here, he said a high-powered committee set up by the union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution system for a long-term review of the grains policy was a ``mischievous'' attempt to dismantle FCI, withdraw from the MSP regime and eventually get out of public distribution system (PDS) as well. He said FCI, MSP and PDS are inter-linked elements of national food security and any attempt by the government to wriggle out of these and throw open the foodgrains policy at the mercy of private agencies would not only undermine the nation's food security but also ruin the economy of surplus grains-producing states like Punjab and Haryana.

Scars of gradual reduction in paddy procurement by FCI in Punjab were already visible in the form of distress sale by Punjab farmers, several of whom have committed suicide.

He said once the government withdrew its commitment from procurement and distribution of foodgrains it would ruin the largely agriculture economy of surplus states like Punjab.

(UNI)