CHANDIGARH: Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to stop misleading the people of Punjab, clarifying that the Central Government has not cancelled any ration cards. He stated that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has already clarified the entire situation.
The state BJP president remarked that while the Chief Minister is creating confusion among the people of Punjab and fostering tension in the state, the BJP is organizing camps to raise awareness about government schemes. However, the AAP government is adopting a repressive policy against these camps. Jakhar emphasized that the AAP government must understand that the BJP’s public awareness campaign cannot be stopped by such oppressive tactics.
Providing detailed information, Jakhar said that the Supreme Court has directed e-KYC verification for ration cards, and the Central Government is merely instructing states to comply with this order. He noted that in Punjab, 1.41 crore people are receiving rations under the National Food Security Act. The Central Government has also granted three extensions to Punjab for completing the e-KYC process.
Jakhar clarified that the inclusion or exclusion of individuals from the ration card list falls under the state government’s jurisdiction, and the Central Government has no role in it. He explained that the Centre has only asked for a re-verification to ensure that no ineligible person is receiving rations and no eligible person is left out. If any eligible person is found excluded, they should be included.
Jakhar assured that the 1.41 crore people currently receiving rations will continue to do so, and the Central Government has not removed anyone’s name from the list. Adding or removing names is the responsibility of the state government. He added that the Centre has provided the necessary data to the state government to facilitate the e-KYC process.
Jakhar alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is raising this baseless issue to create division and confusion in society, following the same strategy taught by Manish Sisodia to party leaders in the presence of the Chief Minister to foster discontent, fear, and confusion. He stated that when it comes to the people of Punjab, only the BJP is raising their issues and acting as a strong opposition, while other parties have surrendered to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He suggested that these parties are driven by their leaders’ personal interests, causing them to neglect the interests of the people.