Removal of names from ration list triggers row

Jaipur: The state Assembly witnessed sharp exchanges Tuesday between food and civil supplies minister Sumit Godara and Congress MLAs over deletion of names from the Food Security Scheme beneficiary list, particularly migrants and those flagged over e-KYC issues.Raising the issue, Congress MLA Ramnivas Gawriya questioned the removal of names of beneficiaries who had gone abroad or migrated to other states for work, alleging that poor families were being deprived of ration benefits due to technical discrepancies.
Responding, Godara dismissed concerns about overseas beneficiaries. "MLAs rarely come to the House and are not aware that those settled abroad cannot receive benefits. How can someone earning abroad receive free ration?" he said. He added, "Should we send wheat by parcel to those sitting overseas? Those earning abroad cannot be considered poor. This scheme is meant for the needy." Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani also asked how names of people living abroad could remain on the list. Gawriya objected to the minister's remarks, saying, "It is unfortunate that such language is being used by a minister. It is the poor farmer's son who migrates for labour work to support his family. Not everyone is an Adani or Ambani." He clarified that migration within the country was also an issue and alleged that names were deleted due to technical and verification errors, including age discrepancies. The exchange escalated when Congress MLA Ashok Chandna intervened, asking the minister to respond directly. Godara said that some members "rarely attend the House and do not listen."