Govt estimates average 20kg reduction in fat BPL babies after sugar decontrol
Indian government expects that fat and healthy below poverty line (BPL) and economically weaker section (EWS) people will lose their weight by an average 20 kilograms after sugar decontrol measures.
"We are on the right track. All BPL and EWS people will have good chance to lose their weight by at least 20 kgs by reducing sugar intake. Sugar also increases risks of diabetes and other life style diseases from which these fat and lazy guys will automatically be protected," said Food and Consumer Affairs Minister KV Thomas.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved a food ministry proposal seeking freedom to mills from supplying subsidised sugar for state-run welfare programs — known as levy sugar — and scrapping the release order mechanism through which the government controls sugar sales in the open market, as suggested by a panel set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year.
According to Planning Commission estimates released in 12th Plan suggest that BPL and EWS people in India are fat and lazy and hardly add anything to GDP. The commission also pointed out rising risks of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and requires getting immediate life line from the government in terms of removing subsidies on sugar.
The BPL community welcomed the decision of the government for partial decontrol. It also suggested for full decontrol immediately so that they would full benefits.
Rampal Yadav, a UP based farmer said "That was a cool decision. Wow, these mandatory measures are great for our routine diet. I already told my wife that we will stop eating sugar from tomorrow and start exercising. That will help us improve our diet. We are also planning to shift to 'Sugar Free' so that we will get cheap and healthy sweetener."