Delhi LG orders probe into denial of ration cards to 90,000 poor people

The Delhi lieutenant governor has instructed the chief secretary to investigate the city government’s alleged failure to distribute ration cards to 90,000 impoverished individuals, following a request from Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta.

Gupta has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of neglecting economically vulnerable families, stating that thousands have been denied their rightful access to food, as per a statement released by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader on Saturday.

In the statement, Gupta criticised the AAP administration, calling it anti-poor and alleging that it has “taken food away from thousands” by failing to issue ration cards.

He further claimed that this reflects a broader agenda against Dalit and marginalised communities.

The controversy revolves around the “Antyodaya Anna Yojana,” a scheme initiated under the National Food Security Act during former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s term, designed to provide essential rations to the poorest families, Gupta explained.

According to the BJP leader, 1,56,800 families in Delhi are entitled to receive 35 kg of monthly rations, including wheat, rice, and sugar under this scheme.

However, Gupta alleged that since the AAP took office in 2015, the number of beneficiaries has dropped from 76,458 to 66,532 families.

He also claimed that approximately 90,000 people who were eligible for ration cards have not received them.

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Besides food security, Gupta criticised the AAP government for failing to implement other key welfare schemes for the poor, such as the Ayushman Bharat healthcare programme.

He affirmed that the BJP would continue to advocate for the underprivileged and expressed hope that the lieutenant governor’s investigation would lead to the distribution of ration cards to those in need.

(With inputs from PTI)