CM Mann accuses Centre of planning to cut free ration for 55 lakh people in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann strongly attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJP-led central government for planning to stop free rations for 55 lakh poor families in the state. While addressing the media, he said Punjab has 1.53 crore ration cards, and the Centre has already cut off rations for 23 lakh people in July by citing incomplete KYC. Now, he added, the Centre has warned that rations for another 32 lakh people will be stopped from September 30. Mann strongly opposed the move, saying he will not allow even one ration card to be cancelled.

BJP accused of 'ration theft'

The Chief Minister pointed out that although the BJP claims to provide rations to 80 crore citizens under the PDS, in Punjab it is moving to cancel 802,493 ration cards, which would deprive nearly 32 lakh poor people of their food supply. Mann alleged that the BJP has shifted from “vote theft” to “ration theft” and said it was unfair to target Punjab, which grows food to feed the country. He criticised the conditions for cancelling ration cards, such as owning a car, having a government job, small landholdings or income. He said it was wrong to cancel an entire family’s ration just because one person meets these conditions. He asserted that during his tenure as Chief Minister, not a single ration card would be cancelled. He also challenged BJP leaders to present such an act as an “achievement” in their outreach programmes.

The Centre’s schemes are called contradictory

The Chief Minister also pointed out that the Centre is giving gas connections to the poor under one scheme but taking away ration benefits under another. He said this exposes BJP’s anti-poor thinking. Mann said he has written to the Prime Minister and other leaders, asking them to change the strict rules so that the poor and needy can get maximum benefit. He said Punjab will not accept this unfair decision and has asked for six months to properly review it. Mann warned the Union Government not to treat Punjabis like beggars, adding that Punjabis will never give up their rights under pressure. He said the people of Punjab will fight back against such moves.

Punjab demands fair treatment

The Chief Minister stated that Punjab once had a better standard of living compared to many other states but has faced setbacks due to weak leadership in earlier times. He urged the Centre to revise its rules so that genuine beneficiaries are not excluded. Mann also reminded the Prime Minister that the vision of making India a Vishwaguru cannot succeed if 32 lakh people in Punjab are denied rations because of unfair policies. He added that his government will not allow the rights of Punjabis to be taken away. Responding to a query, Mann said BJP leaders are already facing legal cases for organising camps to gather personal information, which he called a violation of privacy and something that will not be permitted. The Chief Minister also said the BJP has already been caught trying to manipulate voter lists and grab power secretly in many states. He said such tactics will not work in Punjab and promised that the government will protect people’s privacy and rights at all costs.

Focus on flood management

On another issue, Mann said the state government is working on using water sources properly to stop damage caused by heavy rainfall in hilly regions. He said while rain falls in the hills, it is Punjab that faces destruction. Mann shared that a strong plan is being made to deal with this problem and that he has already asked officials to prepare a clear strategy after visiting the flood-affected areas.