Former Haryana CM Hooda Accuses BJP of Electoral Betrayal Over Ration Card Cancellations
In a scathing critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana, former chief minister and leader of the opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has leveled serious allegations of betrayal against the state's impoverished population. Hooda, who was in Kurukshetra to offer condolences to bereaved families, including those of former minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha's wife and MLA Ramkaran Kala's elder brother, later addressed the media with pointed remarks on what he termed a "great injustice" perpetrated by the administration.
Massive Cancellations and Family ID Errors
Hooda highlighted that the BJP government is committing a grave disservice to the poor under the guise of implementing Family IDs. "Ration cards of 70,000 families have been canceled in the last six months alone due to minor errors in names, ages, and other details," he stated emphatically. He elaborated that this is not merely a statistical figure but represents a painful narrative of food insecurity for thousands of vulnerable households.
The former chief minister further underscored that Haryana has previously led the nation in ration card cancellations, with approximately 14 lakh cards being revoked earlier. "This trend continues to exacerbate the plight of the poor," Hooda added, pointing out that even after errors are rectified, many families struggle to have their ration and pension benefits reinstated.
Pension Stoppages and Systemic Issues
Beyond ration cards, Hooda drew attention to the broader impact of Family ID discrepancies. "Pensions are being stopped due to minor errors in Family IDs, forcing people to endure months of bureaucratic hurdles at district Saral Kendras," he explained. According to reports cited by Hooda, the pensions of more than 500,000 individuals have been halted so far, compounding the financial distress among the elderly and disadvantaged.
He questioned the government's rationale, asking why such extensive cancellations are occurring post-elections when a significant number of ration cards were issued beforehand. "Why is the government not answering this question?" Hooda demanded, suggesting a lack of transparency and accountability in the process.
Electoral Maneuvers and National Context
Hooda accused the BJP of engaging in electoral manipulation by adding 1 crore additional people to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category to secure votes in the 2024 elections. "Immediately after garnering votes, they started arbitrarily canceling ration cards," he alleged, framing it as a calculated move that exploits the poor for political gain.
Citing data from the winter session of Parliament, Hooda revealed that nationwide, 4,141,385 ration cards have been canceled, with Haryana topping the list at 1,343,474 cancellations. This statistic, he argued, underscores the severity of the issue and the disproportionate burden placed on Haryana's residents.
In conclusion, Hooda's remarks paint a picture of systemic neglect and betrayal, urging for immediate governmental action to address the grievances of poor families and restore their essential benefits without further delay.
