THE plight of the poor and middle class people urgently calls for Government help. The condition of the latter is even more pitiable than that of the former. The poor can struggle and jostle at cheap shops started by the municipality, though even here the daily supply is unequal to the demand and we understand that women and children find that the supply is exhausted by equally needy but stronger people who can push their way forward. It would be a distinct advantage if the municipal authorities can give this class a priority over the men or better still open a separate central shop where only women and children shall be served. But apart from these cheap shops, it is obvious that there is a great deal of distress among the lower middle class, the needy sufiadposh and the purdah women whom it is necessary to reach to alleviate their distress.