December 3, 2019
‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ deprives States of their rights: Trinamool in Lok Sabha
Trinamool MP and Chief Whip Kalyan Banerjee today slammed the proposed ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ policy of the Centre. He said it infringes on the rights of States to formulate their own ‘subordinate legislation’ under the National Food Security Act.
He said, “Before the introduction of the National Food Security Act, 2013, everyone was entitled to get subsidised rations. After the 2013 Act came into effect, only those belonging to the BPL level get the subsidised food materials. However, under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, powers have been given to the State Government also to make subordinate legislation.”
He said that the Bangla Government has worked within the control order. There are two types of ration cards in the State. One is for the purpose of giving the poor people subsidised ration; the State Government is subsidising the other part.
He maintained that if the State Government wants to subsidise the middle class, how can the Centre deny that by talking about ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’? He also raised the issue of dues worth Rs 3000 crore Centre owes to Bangla Government.
