Cong cries foul over blue ration cards
Saturday, 27/09/2014
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PATIALA: Alleging discrimination in the issuing of blue ration cards to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), district Congress leaders on Friday said that the SADBJP government was neglecting Patiala residents under NFSA also, apart from development.
Led by Patiala MLA Preneet Kaur, the leaders submitted a memorandum to the chief minister’s office through the deputy commissioner, alleging discrimination against Congressmen by SAD-BJP government to deprive them of NFSA benefits.
The applications for blue ration cards were done largely through SAD’s halqa in-charges who did not see beyond their party’s rank and file, alleged the Congressmen in their memorandum.
Preneet said, “In Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa districts, blue ration cards were made and commodities were distributed overnight as Lok Sabha elections were round the corner. But, it was not implemented in Patiala.”
“In Bathinda, 99% applicants have been found to be eligible; 90% in Mansa and 80% in Muktsar district which includes 100% of Lambi assembly segment, despite the fact that NFSA said that not more than 60% population should be covered.
In Patiala district, only 30% applicants have been covered. In Patiala town, out of 76,000 applicants, only 7,200 blue ration cards have been issued.
