Chandigarh. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the Union Government of conspiring to rob 55 lakh poor Punjabis of their rightful free ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Mann charged that the BJP is on a deliberate mission to “steal food from the plates of Punjab’s poor” under the guise of technicalities like KYC and arbitrary eligibility conditions.
“First they stopped ration for 23 lakh poor in July citing KYC. Now, from September 30, they plan to snatch rations from another 32 lakh people. I won’t let even a single ration card be struck off as long as I am Chief Minister,” Mann thundered.
BJP’s Double Standards Exposed
Out of Punjab’s 1.53 crore ration cards, the BJP is targeting 8,02,493 cards for cancellation—a move that would deprive 32 lakh citizens of food security. Mann said this exposes the hypocrisy of a government that claims to feed 80 crore Indians, yet seeks to starve lakhs in a state that produces grain to feed the nation.
Accusing the BJP of shifting from “vote theft to ration theft”, Mann said, “Punjab grows the food that makes India self-reliant, yet the Centre wants to punish our people with hunger.”
Absurd Eligibility Rules
Mann ridiculed the Centre’s reasoning for deletion of ration cards—ownership of a four-wheeler, government jobs, small landholdings, or family income. He said it was absurd to deprive entire families because a single member meets one criterion.
“This is nothing but a cruel, anti-poor agenda. On one hand, they distribute gas connections in the name of welfare, and on the other, they use the same basis to withdraw rations. The BJP has been exposed,” he added.
Warning to the Centre
Mann warned the Union Government to “stop treating Punjabis as beggars.” He said the Punjab Government has already sought a six-month review window and will resist every attempt to deny citizens their rights.
“Punjab will not bow to the Centre’s pressure tactics. We are not dependent on Delhi for dignity or rights. Punjabis will fight back,” Mann asserted.
Privacy Breach Allegations
The Chief Minister also accused BJP leaders of illegally organizing camps to collect people’s personal data. “They are already facing legal action. They first tampered with voter rolls, now they want to invade privacy for ration cards. This is unconstitutional and will not be allowed in Punjab,” he said.
Flood Crisis Response
On another issue, Mann said the state is developing a comprehensive strategy to manage floods caused by heavy rainfall in hilly regions. “It is ironic—rains fall in the hills, but Punjab suffers the devastation. I have directed officials to prepare a robust plan to channelize water sources,” he said.
‘Not a Single Ration Card Will Be Deleted’
Reiterating his stand, Mann said the Centre’s “ill-conceived policies” cannot be allowed to push 32 lakh Punjabis into starvation. He reminded Prime Minister Modi that India’s dream of becoming a Vishwaguru cannot be realized while denying basic food security to millions.
“The Punjab Government will not allow Delhi to usurp the rights of our people. Every poor family will get its ration. Not a single card will be deleted,” Mann declared.
