After the fourth phase of elections in India, the Congress President announced that if elected, the party will increase the ration given to citizens from 5 kg to 10 kg, in contrast to NDA's current policy. He also accused the Modi government of taking 'undue credit' for the free ration scheme, when it was actually implemented by the Congress-led UPA government under the Food Security Act. This promise is a part of the party's manifesto which also focuses on empowering women and providing financial assistance to unemployed youth. Interestingly, this promise comes soon after the Home Minister declared that BJP has already won 270 seats in the elections.
Congress Pledges Increased Ration Distribution, Accuses NDA of Credit-Grabbing for Free Ration Scheme
Background:
The Indian National Congress (INC) has announced an ambitious plan to increase the free ration allocation for citizens from 5 kg to 10 kg per month if elected to power. This promise comes amidst the ongoing general elections in India and seeks to address the concerns of the country's large population living in poverty or facing food insecurity.
Congress's Promise:
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has stated that increasing the ration distribution is a key part of the party's election manifesto. He has accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking "undue credit" for the existing free ration scheme, known as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
Gandhi claims that the PMGKAY scheme was actually implemented by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under the National Food Security Act of 2013. He argues that the NDA government has merely extended the scheme that was already in place.
NDA's Response:
The NDA government has dismissed Congress's allegations, stating that the PMGKAY scheme is a significant expansion of the free ration program initiated by the UPA. The government points out that the scheme has provided over 300 million poor Indians with free food grains since March 2020, including during the pandemic-induced lockdown.
FAQs:
1. Why is the Congress increasing the ration distribution? The Congress aims to address food insecurity and hunger among the poor and marginalized population.
2. How much ration will be distributed if Congress wins? Congress pledges to distribute 10 kg of free ration per person per month.
3. When was the free ration scheme originally implemented? The National Food Security Act was passed in 2013 under the Congress-led UPA government.
4. What is the NDA's response to Congress's allegations? The NDA claims that the PMGKAY scheme is a significant expansion of the existing free ration program.
5. What other promises are included in Congress's election manifesto? The manifesto focuses on empowering women, providing financial assistance to unemployed youth, and addressing farmers' concerns.
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