Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh strongly condemned the Central BJP Government’s move to deprive poor families of Punjab of their ration entitlements. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government stands firmly with its people and will never allow such designs of the Centre to succeed.
Dr. Balbir Singh alleged that the BJP Government at the Centre wants to stop ration for 32 lakh people in Punjab. “First, they were stealing votes, then they attempted to steal Punjab’s water, later they misused people’s private data, and now they are conspiring to snatch food grains from the poor,” he remarked.
He revealed that under the pretext of non-completion of KYC registrations, the Central Government has already stopped free ration for 23 lakh beneficiaries in July and is threatening to stop ration for another 32 lakh people from September 30 onwards. The Health Minister said that Punjabis have always stood by the nation, whether by filling the country’s food reserves or guarding its borders.
“But in return, the BJP Government at the Centre is treating Punjab in a step-motherly manner,” he added. Citing history, he said Punjab has borne immense pain – from Operation Sindoor to the present-day floods. “When there was water scarcity, they planned to snatch our waters; and now during floods, Punjab has been left to drown,” he said.
Targeting the BJP, Dr. Balbir Singh said that after “stealing votes,” the party is now resorting to “stealing ration.” He noted that Punjab is being singled out for denial of free ration despite the fact that Punjab has made the greatest contribution to making India self-reliant in food grain production.
He reaffirmed that the Punjab Government will never allow such anti-Punjab policies of the Centre to succeed and will resolutely safeguard the interests of its people. On this occasion, Fazilka MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna and Jalalabad MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy were also present.