Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann: “Won’t Let Centre Remove Even a Single Ration Beneficiary”

Chandigarh | In Punjab, a political tussle has emerged over the National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration beneficiaries list. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared on Saturday that as long as he is the CM of Punjab, no poor person’s ration card will be removed.

Mann stated that the Centre recently sent a report asking Punjab to remove 8,02,493 ration cards, which could deprive nearly 32 lakh beneficiaries of subsidised wheat.
“How can those who grow food for the nation be denied subsidised grains themselves?” asked CM Mann.

AAP Accuses BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the BJP is collecting citizens’ personal data under outreach programs and could misuse it politically. CM Mann claimed that BJP has already tried “vote theft” and is now attempting “ration theft.”

AAP announced that starting Sunday, public meetings and cadre sessions will be held across Punjab to inform people that the Centre is trying to withhold subsidised ration from them.

BJP Responds

BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ashwani Sharma accused the Punjab government of not implementing central schemes like PM Kisan, Ayushman Bharat and PM Awas Yojana. They stated that the Centre only asked states to verify beneficiaries who may not qualify under the prescribed criteria.

Centre Clarifies

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi responded, saying—
“The Centre has not removed any beneficiary. E-KYC was mandated by the Supreme Court. The state is only required to verify the list based on their own criteria. This ensures deserving beneficiaries can be added if missed.”

Joshi further clarified that 1.41 crore beneficiaries in Punjab will continue to receive free foodgrains.