"MGNREGS brought lasting benefit to millions and cash transfers will bring lasting benefit to millions," said Chidambaram.
Criticising the scheme, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury said: "We are opposed to cash transfer. Today you are saying that the money will be transferred directly to buy foodgrain of that quantity."
"But it (the quantity) will be reduced due to inflation and price rise. This is a method of automatic reduction of government subsidies. It is a system which has in-built mechanism for reduction of subsidy."
"Also, the meagre public distribution system will be affected," Yechury said, adding: "We want strengthening of PDS."
