The newly introduced ambitious project of State Government to ensure digitised Public Distribution Supply (PDS) through new ration cards has courted a fresh controversy. The Opposition BJP has objected to the use of photographs of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and State Cabinet Minister on the ration cards.
Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Sunday wrote a letter to Election Commission of India (ECI) complaining about the photographs of Congress leaders on the ration cards alleging that it is a violation of model code of conduct and could influence the people of State.
In a written complaint, he said that the State Government was providing subsidised ration under Public Distribution System (PDS) on ration card issued by State Government. “New ration cards prepared and distributed among people have photographs of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and one State Cabinet Minister,” he said.
He said that the State Government is violating the Model Code of Conduct by using ration card with photographs of Congress leaders. “It is for the first time, when ration card have photographs of political leaders,” he added. Dhumal has also sought immediate cancellation of these ration cards. “Election Commission should immediately stop the misuse of public money and poll code violation,” he said.
“I believe the Election Commission of India (ECI) will take strict action against the Government and stop use of these ration cards,” he added. Earlier, Dhumal had accused the Government of transferring nearly 700 employees on the day of elections announcement, when the Model Code of Conduct came into force across the country. The BJP had also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India, accusing Government of inaugurating and laying foundation stone of unfinished Government structures on the first day of poll code.