In a fresh bid to get approval for the doorstep delivery of ration scheme, the AAP Government again sent the file to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday.
Earlier this month, the Arvind Kejriwal Government had claimed that the scheme was rejected by the L-G contending that the Centre''s approval was not sought for it and there was a pending case in the court. Kejriwal while responding to the objections raised by the L-G said the scheme of doorstep delivery of ration is in accordance with the law and was being implemented to follow the orders of the central Government.
“It is wrong to halt this scheme during the corona period as by implementing it, crowding at ration shops can be avoided. The L-G was informed about the Cabinet's decision regarding the doorstep delivery scheme of ration four times in the last three years but he never opposed it. In February last, the notification was issued to implement this scheme and even then LG did not object. All that the Central Government objected to was removed but still the scheme was stopped,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Council of Ministers, through a Cabinet decision dated March 6, 2018, had approved the scheme to deliver ration (wheat, whole flour, rice, and sugar) at the doorstep of the beneficiaries under the ‘Targeted Public Distribution System’ (TPDS). Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) was approved as the single implementing agency for the project and Rs 677 crore was sanctioned as an outlay on the project.
“The decision of the cabinet was relayed to the LG office and there was no objection against the plan by the LG. The Delhi Government had planned to implement the scheme immediately in the coming few days, but in view of the objections of the LG, it has been unfortunately put on hold,” he added.
Kejriwal further said that with the implementation of this scheme, the NFSA beneficiaries who are unable to visit the FPS shops like old/disabled, handicapped, pregnant women, or nursing mothers, etc. will get a hassle-free facility.
The objective of the door step delivery scheme is to ensure the delivery of wheat flour, clean rice, and sugar at the doorstep of the beneficiaries under the supervision of the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC).