- Thursday, April 18, 2024
By: Pramod Kumar
DELHI chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked prime minister Narendra Modi to implement the ‘stalled’ doorstep ration delivery scheme across the country.
He said that the scheme should be started soon in view of the Covid-19 situation in the country otherwise ration shops will act as “super-spreaders”.
“If pizza, burgers, smartphones and clothes can be delivered at home, then why can’t ration be delivered at their doorstep,” Kejriwal said.
“People are distressed that the central government is fighting everyone. If we fight like this, how will we tackle Covid-19. The Delhi government legally did not require the centre’s approval for the implementation of the scheme, but it sought permission five times to avoid any dispute.”
He alleged that the Centre was fighting with everyone, including West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra, Delhi and Jharkhand governments, farmers and the people of Lakhsadweep.
Recently, the Delhi government claimed the doorstep delivery of ration scheme was rejected by the lieutenant governor saying the centre’s approval was not sought, and a litigation was pending in the high court regarding it.
However, the central government said that Delhi government’s claim was “baseless”.
Kejriwal said he was “deeply anguished” over centre’s rejection of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme and wanted to directly ask the prime minister why was it stalled.
“If you stand with the ration mafia, who will stand with the poor people,” Kejriwal asked.
He added that the scheme would benefit 7.2 million people in the national capital, if implemented.
Kejriwal also revealed that the Delhi government had made all preparations and is going to launch it in a few days.
“Even the name of the scheme was changed after the objection of the central government and yet they are saying no approval was sought. How else do you get approval?,” he asked.
“I am not doing this for credit. Please allow implementation of doorstep delivery of ration scheme and I will myself tell everyone that it was done by prime minister Narendra Modi,” Kejriwal said.
“It is the responsibility of both of us that it reaches the people without theft.”
Meanwhile, the Union Food and Public Distribution ministry has clarified that it has not asked the Delhi government to not to distribute the ration the way they want.
“They can do so under any other scheme. The government of India will provide additional ration for the same as per notified rates. Where is the issue?,” it said.
“The Delhi government wants to “tinker with” that nationally administered programme at the cost of Delhi consumers by charging the cost of milling etc from them. The government of India had only informed them about the rule position.”
