Kumari Selja flays BJP for ‘revoking’ ration depot licences

Sirsa, July 8

MP Kumari Selja has accused the BJP state government of trying to deprive the poor of their rights. She said the BJP-led government has revoked the licences of about 1,300 depot operators, making it difficult for ration cardholders to obtain essential food items such as oil and grains. She said the sudden decision has created a crisis for people belonging to the economically weaker section of society, as they rely on the depots for food.

Addressing mediapersons, Kumari Selja said the Food and Supplies Department had issued licenses to 9,300 depot holders to operate fair-price shops in the state. However, the government issued an order cancelling the licenses of depot holders over 60 years of age.

In response, the affected depot holders approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has put a stay on the order until March 31. Kumari Selja said after the stay expired, the licenses were cancelled again.

Kumari Selja said about 1,300 depots have not received rations since April, adding that people dependent on them have been visiting these depots these depots to inquire about the availability of essential items such as mustard oil, rice, wheat, salt and sugar, but to no avail. She said 1.68 crore poor families in the state rely on these depots for their rations, with about 14 per cent facing a food crisis.

She urged the state government to take responsibility for providing food to these families and to restore the cancelled licenses immediately.