Ferozepur MLAs slams Centre’s directive to cut ration cards; Assure govt will protect people’s rights
Ferozepur, August 25, 2025: MLAs from Ferozepur district strongly condemned the Union Government’s directive to cut ration cards of over 55 lakh poor beneficiaries in Punjab, terming it an “attack on the rights of Punjabis.”
Addressing a press conference at Circuit House, Ferozepur City MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar, Ferozepur Rural MLA Rajnish Dahiya, Guru Har Sahai MLA Fauja Singh Sarari, and Zira MLA Naresh Kataria said the BJP-led Central Government intends to deprive Punjab’s poor of their rightful ration. They asserted that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will not allow even a single family to be denied its due share.
The MLAs alleged that while 23 lakh beneficiaries had already been denied ration earlier under the pretext of KYC and verification, the Centre has now ordered Punjab to cancel an additional 8,02,500 ration cards, affecting nearly 32 lakh people. “This arbitrary move puts the ration of around 55 lakh needy Punjabis at risk,” they said.
They pointed out that Punjab has 1.53 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), of which verification for 1.29 crore has already been completed, and the process is ongoing for the rest. The state has requested six more months to complete the exercise. “Instead of issuing unilateral and authoritarian orders, the Centre should coordinate with Punjab, the executing agency under NFSA,” the MLAs argued, adding that the criteria being applied — such as a family member having a job or landholding over 2.5 acres — are not suitable for Punjab’s socio-economic conditions.
Highlighting the risks of sharing bank details during verification camps, they questioned whether the BJP would take responsibility if fraud or unauthorized withdrawals occurred. They further said the Union Government already has citizens’ data through Aadhaar and PAN, and if it genuinely intends to help, it should first fulfill its long-pending promise of depositing ₹15 lakh into every Indian’s bank account.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to safeguard the rights of its people, the MLAs declared: “Though ration distribution under NFSA is jointly funded by the Centre and State, the executing authority remains the State Government. Under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, no Punjabi will be denied their rightful ration.”
The press conference was also attended by Harjinder Singh Ghanga, District President Ferozepur; Dr. Nirvair Singh Sindhi, District Media Incharge; Gurjit Singh Bhullar, District Secretary; Jaswant Singh Sodhi, Planning Board Member; Beant Singh Hakumat Singh Wala, Chairman Market Committee Ferozepur Cantonment; Bakshish Singh Sandhu; Pargat Singh Mall, Office Incharge; Kuldeep Singh Cheema, Social Media Incharge, along with other leaders and workers.