'Millions At Risk Of Slipping Into Poverty': Sonia Gandhi Writes To PM Modi Seeking Free Ration For Poor

Sonia Gandhi urged the ruling government to expand the food entitlements to the most vulnerable people in the country at the hour of the hunger crisis and pandemic.

File Photo/PTI

In another sharp letter to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday urged the ruling government to extend the provision of free food grains for a period of three months up till September 2020.

 In a letter to PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi said that it has been nearly three months to the nationwide lockdown. During this nation-level shutdown, thousands of people have slipped into poverty.

"Millions of Indians are at risk of slipping into poverty. The adverse impact on the livelihoods has led to chronic food insecurity for both, our urban and rural people," Sonia said, urging the ruling government to expand the food entitlements to the most vulnerable people in the country at the hour of hunger crisis and pandemic. Further in the letter, Congress supremo said, "The provision for the supply of 5 kg free food grains/person/month to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Households under the National Food Security Act from April June 2020, in addition to regular entitlements was announced at the beginning of the Lockdown. The Government also announced free food grams of 5kg/person/month for migrants not covered under any Central or State PDS scheme for the month of May and June. The Union Government must consider extending the provision for free food grains for a further period of three months i.e. July-September 2020. Several states have requested for the same."

Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi writes to the Prime Minister urging the Govt to extend the provision of free food grains for a period of three months up till September 2020. pic.twitter.com/t8es8gcDZ4

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 22, 2020

Moving forward, Sonia said, "Furthermore, since a significant number of poor households continue to be excluded from the PDS system, temporary ration cards must be issued to all such households." This is the second letter in a row to attack the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party. In a letter written last week, Sonia Gandhi had slammed the Centre over successive fuel price hikes. "I see no logic in why the government would even consider such a price increase at a time when the economic impact of COVID-19 is depriving millions of jobs and livelihood," Sonia had said to PM Modi. WATCH | NSUI protest against fuel price hike