Free ration for 80 crore Indians indicator of economic distress and inequality, says Congress

Free ration for 80 crore Indians indicator of economic distress and inequality, says Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday slammed PM Modi’s assurance to continue free ration for 80 crore Indians for five more years, saying it showed deep economic distress and growing inequality in society. The PM announced Chhattisgarh on November 4 while referring to the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), which will expire in December.

The PMGKY was launched in 2020 to deal with the impact of the pandemic and was later merged with the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which was passed by the previous UPA government in 2013. The NFSA entitled 67 per cent of Indians to a right to food and covered 75 per cent of rural and 50 per cent of the urban population, who would receive subsidised grains.

“If more than 50 percent of the citizens have to be given free ration it indicates a high level of economic distress and growing inequality in society. That issue was flagged by Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The reality is that the incomes of a large number of people have not increased in line with the high prices of essential items. Besides, there is the highest ever unemployment in the country,” AICC secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh Chandan Yadav told Aryan Age.

“The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana is nothing, but the National Food Security Act passed by the previous UPA government passed in 2013, which mandated free ration to the poor. When Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he used to oppose the NFSA consistently. But now, he is using the same NFSA with a different name,” he said.

Read More Delhi govt withdraws fuel ban on old vehicles, no more seizures at petrol pumps

At present, the beneficiaries need to pay a nominal charge of Rs 1 to 3 per kg for food grains under the NFSA. Five kg of grains per person per month is given to the beneficiaries as per the NFSA and 35 kg of grains per family are given to the beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

Read More Radhika Yadav, state-level tennis player, shot dead by father at Gurugram home

The AICC functionary said that though the Centre was trying to confuse the people over the 5 kg free ration from its quota, the Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh will continue to provide 35 kg subsidised rice to the beneficiaries under its scheme. He also said that even during the model code, the State government has started purchasing 20 quintals of paddy per acre and 10 quintals of maize per acre from the farmers at MSP from November 1 onwards as part of a commitment.

Read More Gopal Khemka murder case: Shooter Umesh from Patna City arrested, two others in custody

“This was done to benefit the farmers in the Kharif season. Rahul Gandhi recently met and interacted with the farmers in the state and we are committed to their uplift,” said Yadav. According to the AICC functionary, Congress was concerned about the farmers and had earlier passed the MGNREGA rural jobs to take care of the rural poor.

“The Modi government first made fun of MGNREGA saying it promoted corruption, but later on adopted it when he realised its importance in the villages during the pandemic. Our leader works with the farmers during the sowing season and the harvesting season to understand the problems of the farmers first hand unlike the BJP which brought three controversial laws against the food growers,” Yadav added.

Tags:

About The Author

Aryan Age Picture

Welcome to Aryan Age, an English newspaper that has been serving readers since 2011 from Delhi. With a loyal circulation of over 19,000, we are dedicated to providing our readers with the latest news and information, as well as insightful analysis and commentary that help them navigate the complex and rapidly changing world.

Post Comment

Comment List

Latest News

Fair Price Shops Ensure Nutrition Along With Ration For Consumers Fair Price Shops Ensure Nutrition Along With Ration For Consumers
The government is introducing innovations in the interest of consumers and to strengthen the financial viability of fair price shops....
ESIC’s “SPREE 2025” Scheme Approved
‘Cycle will Boost Speed-School Commute to Become Easier and Faster’

Live Cricket Score

Advertisement

Science & Tech

How Nations Bizz Balances Breaking News with Deep-Dive Analysis in Business & Tech? How Nations Bizz Balances Breaking News with Deep-Dive Analysis in Business & Tech?
In an era where online news consumption is growing rapidly, Nations Bizz stands out for maintaining a balance between real-time...
Oppo K13x 5G launched under Rs 12,000 in India: 6,000mAh battery, 50MP camera

Health

Is it just burnout or something serious? When should you take brain fog seriously, doctor answers Is it just burnout or something serious? When should you take brain fog seriously, doctor answers
New Delhi: In today’s world, feeling mentally exhausted is very common. This can have a significant impact on our mental...
World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: 5 tips to manage the condition better, according to experts

Lifestyle

Memory games to mental math: Try these brain exercises to improve your memory Memory games to mental math: Try these brain exercises to improve your memory
New Delhi: Your brain is one of the most important organs in the body. It controls different functions of the...
Consume these healthy, low-sodium snacks to satisfy your tea-time cravings, know recipe