New Delhi: Delhi Education Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Aitishi made strong allegations on Sunday against the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of obstructing the implementation of the 'Ghar Ghar Ration' scheme, a doorstep ration delivery initiative. She also said that the 'Ghar Ghar Ration' scheme was successfully launched in Punjab, but its implementation in Delhi has been stalled by the Centre, allegedly through its representative, the lieutenant governor.
In Delhi, the scheme, which was passed by the Cabinet in 2018 and notified in 2021, has yet to be rolled out due to administrative roadblocks imposed by the Centre, Atishi remarked, as per PTI.
"Ration card holders face many difficulties in procuring the 4 kg wheat, 1 kg atta and 1 kg sugar allocated to them each month, When they go to collect their ration, often the (ration) shop is closed or there is a long queue outside it. When they reach the shop's counter (after standing in the queue), the shopkeeper either misbehaves or claims that items are out of stock. Usually, ration card holders do not get all the items," she remarked, as quoted by PTI.
The AAP leader claimed that ration shop operators work like the mafia. "The 'Ghar Ghar Ration' scheme of the AAP government will work like shop-to-home grocery delivery apps," Atishi said. "The scheme will provide a dignified and convenient way for ration card holders to receive their complete allocated ration at their doorstep," she added.
Delhi Minister Atishi Urges People To Vote For AAP In Lok Sabha Polls
She urged citizens to vote for the AAP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May. "I appeal to the people of Delhi to vote for the AAP in the Lok Sabha elections so that their voice can reach Parliament and we can fight for their rights. If you want that this scheme should be implemented in Delhi, please vote for the AAP", PTI quoted Atishi as saying.
The national capital has seven parliamentary seats and all were won by the BJP in 2019.
Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference alleging that the Centre has stopped the AAP government to commence its scheme of doorstep delivery of free ration even after the government complied with the Centre's conditions.
The Delhi CM said that everything was ready but the Centre stopped the revolutionary scheme. Training guns on BJP, he raised question, "Why Are you stopping us?"
However, the Centre refuted all the claims made by the Delhi Chief Minister and said that he is just relaunching the Centre's doorstep delivery scheme with a different name while the ration which will be distributed will be provided by the Centre.