The state government has refused to set a date for launch of the Food Security Act in the state saying it received the socio-economic census very late inviting sharp reaction from the BJP members in the Vidhan Sabha.
State Food and supply minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya blamed the centre for the delay as it sent the Socio-economic census survey very late while the BJP leaders alleged that the state was not replying to the nine-point clarification sought by the Centre under the Act.
Replying to a question, Raja Bhaiyya said 75 per cent of the total population in the state would be covered under the Food Security act. “But as the report was sent late by almost three months in the state could not enforce the Act on time,” he said.
He said the main reason for delay in implementation of this Act is delay in digitalization of ration cards. We are facing shortage of staff which is not enough to cover the huge population of UP. “Till March 3 last around 17 lakh new ration cards have been distributed so far,” he said.
The Centre had directed all the states to implement the Act from April 1, 2015. But BJP member Suresh Kumar Khanna alleged that the UP government was delaying the Act intentionally by not replying to the queries raised by the Center. He said even Bihar has implemented it but UP has missed the date. However, UP Minister Ambika Choudhury said that Samajwadi Party had opposed the Food Security Act during the UPA regime as it is an anti-farmer move.