Centre targeting Punjabis over ration cards: MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that the Centre, as part of a conspiracy, wants to strike off the names of 10 lakh ration card holders in Punjab.

AAP MLA and former minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said the BJP was deliberately targeting the people of Punjab.

“Removing the names of such a large number of ration card holders will be a direct attack on the poor, Dalits and underprivileged sections of Punjab. We will not let this to be implemented at any cost,” he added.

The Tribune had reported in its news columns on Thursday about the Centre asking the state government to verify antecedents of 11 lakh suspicious beneficiaries of subsidised foodgrains under the National Food Safety Act.

Dhaliwal said the Centre was making false excuses that cardholders had vehicles, houses and land in their name. “This is a well-thought-out strategy to harass Punjabis and defame the Punjab Government,” he said.