Haryana govt move to cut foodgrain allocation under AAY 'anti-poor': Randeep Surjewala

Chandigarh, Jul 7 (PTI) Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday accused the Haryana government of introducing a "new formula" to reduce foodgrain allocation under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, alleging that it would adversely affect lakhs of poor families. He alleged that after coming to power in 2024, the BJP government in the state has taken several "anti-poor" measures targeting beneficiaries from the economically weaker sections. Surjewala pointed out that under the existing system, every Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card holder receives 35 kilograms of wheat per month, irrespective of the number of family members. However, under the new arrangement, beneficiaries would receive 7 kilograms of wheat per person, which would reduce the monthly allocation for smaller families. A three-member family would receive only 21 kilograms of wheat instead of 35 kilograms, and a four-member family would get only 28 kilograms, he explained. The move would reduce the food entitlement of poor households, the Congress leader said, questioning the government's "double standards". Pointing out that the Haryana government had made the two-child norm mandatory for contesting elections to panchayats and local bodies, Surjewala said it was now trying to penalise poor families with fewer members by reducing their ration entitlement. He further alleged that around 14 lakh BPL (below poverty line) and AAY ration cards had been cancelled in the state since 2024. After facing backlash over the cancellation of ration cards, the government is trying to adopt a different method by reducing the quantity of foodgrains distributed to beneficiaries, he claimed. The move is "anti-poor", Surjewala said, demanding that the BJP government withdraw it immediately. He further asserted that the Congress would continue to raise the issue "from the streets to Parliament" and fight for the rights of poor families in the state. PTI VSD RUK RUK