Has the ‘Free Ration’ scheme been extended till 2028 as per the Prime Minister’s announcement? The press release issued by PIB after the election campaigning in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh ended on November 15 has raised doubts.
मोदी की झूठी घोषणा पर PIB का बड़ा खुलासा! अगले 2028 तक नहीं बढ़ाई गई मुफ्त राशन योजना
The noise of campaigning for the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh stopped yesterday (15 November 2023). Tomorrow i.e. on 17th November, votes will be cast for the new assembly in both the states.
But, minutes after the campaign ended, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a press release from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. This press note was issued at 6.12 pm.
It said, “The Central Government, with a view to reduce the financial burden of poor beneficiaries in the country and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (2013), for a period of one year beginning from January 1, 2023, “It is providing free food grains to the beneficiaries coming from Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families and Priority Households (PHH) through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).”
Here the question arises that why is PIB reminding people about such a scheme which has been going on for the last 11 months? And, that too when this scheme is going to end in just one month? Was its purpose only to remind people of this scheme?
In such a situation, a question will arise in the mind of any MP that why there is no mention at all in this press release of what was announced by the Prime Minister. What the heck is going on? Why is the Prime Minister’s announcement not even mentioned in the PIB press note?
Recall that this month, on November 4, 2023, in an election rally in Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the scheme of free ration to about 80 crore people of the country is being extended for the next five years i.e. till 2028.
His announcement made headlines in the newspapers. And in the noise of this announcement, those voices which were questioning the timing and intention of this announcement were almost drowned. This was a clear violation of the election code of conduct. It is clear in the Code of Conduct that there is a ban on wooing voters by announcing any policy or project as long as the Model Code of Conduct is in effect. This code of conduct remains in effect from the time of notification of election dates till the time of voting.
But, the press note of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food dated November 15, 2023 by PIB has raised doubts on this announcement of the Prime Minister. Is it that the Union Cabinet has not yet taken any decision to extend this scheme till 2028? Is it possible that the Prime Minister has just made this announcement on his own, and it is unlikely to be implemented?
Or is it that by issuing the press note, PIB has saved the Prime Minister, the Election Commission and the government from the embarrassment that would have occurred if the Model Code of Conduct was openly violated? This announcement could have been made even after the election results were declared on the 3rd of the next month i.e. December.
There is no mention anywhere in the press release of PIB that the scheme has been extended, it only reminds people that the scheme is till December 2023 only.
The PIB press release said, “The Center is providing free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families and Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. “The Government of India is bearing the food subsidy for procurement, allocation, transportation and distribution of food grains to the designated depots in the states under PMGKAY.”
A little more information has been given in the ministry’s statement. It said, “The Central Government, in order to relieve the financial burden of poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (2013), is pleased to extend to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families with effect from January 1, 2023.” “It is initially providing free food grains to priority household (PHH) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of one year.”
It has been acknowledged in the statement of the ministry that this scheme has been started under the National Food Security Act of 2013.
“The National Food Security Act, 2013 covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, which amounts to about 81.35 crore persons as per the 2011 census. The coverage of the Act is quite high to ensure that all vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefits. “At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.48 crore beneficiaries have been identified by the States/UTs under the Act for distribution of free food grains under PMGKAY.”
Will there be any clarification from PIB on all this?
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