The free ration scheme for 15 crore people from economically weaker sections in Uttar Pradesh may be extended till 2024 when the next Lok Sabha elections are scheduled, as promised by CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi during their election rallies.
During the state assembly elections, the free rationing program received a lot of support from both urban and rural voters.
However, the government is anticipated to make a final decision in this regard soon. During the second wave of COVID-19, the Yogi Adityanath government launched a free ration scheme for financially deprived people in the state. The scheme was supposed to last till November 2021 but keeping in mind the pandemic situation in the state and the response of the people, the state government decided to continue it till the end of March 2022.
According to sources, the government is contemplating extending the scheme till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and a proposal in this respect has been sent to the Food and Civil Supplies department.
A final decision is expected when the government is formed post-Holi.
Though many see it as a political maneuver aimed at the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP claims it is a step undertaken for the people's welfare to guarantee that no one goes hungry. Every month, the Yogi Adityanath government provided free rations to around 15 crore people through the Public Distribution System (PDS). People have been getting free ration twice a month at the rate of five kg per unit in the ration card by both the state and the central government.
According to UP BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi, there was no means for impoverished people to earn a daily wage during the lockdown, therefore the government implemented the Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana. "Our government wants to make sure that no one goes hungry and that everyone who needs rations gets it," he continued.
