Keypoints:
- Delhi government said it is “not permissible” to use subsidised foodgrain allotted under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
- AAP said that it is really saddening that the central government has asked the Delhi government to stop the ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana’.
On Friday, the Centre asked Delhi government not to implement the doorstep ration delivery scheme. The government said that it is “not permissible” to use subsidised foodgrain allotted under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
On Friday, in a written letter to Delhi government, the Joint Secretary in the Union Food Ministry S Jagannathan said the subsidised foodgrains being allocated by the central government for distribution under the NFSA “cannot be used for the operationalisation of any state specific/other scheme under different name/nomenclature other than NFSA as the same is not permissible under the Act.”.
It also said that the government will have no objection if the government of Delhi comes out with a separate scheme without mixing the elements of the NFSA, it said.
The said notification has been issued to the Food and Civil Supplies department of the Delhi Government.
“The use of new nomenclature or scheme name for distribution of NFSA foodgrains by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi is not permissible,” the notification said.
The notification further said, “The department will have no objection if a separate scheme is made by the UT government without mixing the elements of the NFSA foodgrains.”
Under this scheme, ration is to be packed by the Delhi government and delivered to the beneficiaries’ doorstep. The central government and the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution were fully aware of this scheme. It is the best scheme for the poor because they would be able to receive ration without any hurdle. This scheme would have prevented rampant corruption,” argued AAP’s chief spokesperson Saurav Bharadwaj.
“I don’t know why the Centre has a problem if corruption in the ration distribution system stops. We have not asked for a single paisa from the central government to implement this scheme, but despite that it is trying to stop this revolutionary and flagship project of the Delhi government,” he said.
Regretting the Centre’s move, Bharadwaj recalled how Kejriwal had decided to tackle the rot in the system. “He knew that the ration dealers get very little commission, which is why they indulge in corruption. Earlier, the commission was just 35 paise but the Kejriwal government increased it to Rs 2. This is the highest commission for ration dealers across the country. The central government still provides 35 paise as commission,” Bharadwaj said.
