Poll code: Photos of PM, CM on packs Yogi’s free ration plan hits roadblock

Bijnor: After the model code of conduct came into effect ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the free ration scheme announced by the Yogi government could not be distributed to the poor as food packets bear pictures of PM Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath. In December last year, the Yogi Adityanath government had launched the free ration scheme for "15 crore poor till March 2022."

In Bijnor alone, about 6,10,000 poor families have been hit, with most of the beneficiaries not getting salt, chana, cooking oil, etc as all these food packets have pictures of BJP leaders printed on them.

Bijnor district supply officer Dhruv Raj Yadav told TOI, “We have asked all ration dealers to distribute packaged ration to beneficiaries after covering pictures of political leaders. Packaging of ration was made some months ago, and this is the reason why the pictures cannot be replaced immediately.”

Two days ago, some people staged a protest in Paal village of Amroha's Gajraula area alleging that they were not provided cooking oil, salt and chana packets. The situation is the same in other pockets of the state. According to an official who did not wish to be named, "In some places, ration was distributed to the beneficiaries, but after the model code of conduct came into effect, distribution of the food packets was stopped as pictures of BJP leaders were printed on the packets. Unpacked ration is being distributed properly.”

After announcing the scheme in November last year, Yogi said at a public rally in Ayodhya, "The state is extending the scheme till Holi as we are aware that though Covid cases have come down, the misery caused by the pandemic is yet over. Therefore, the state will continue to extend support to 15 crore poor people in the state."