PM's free ration scheme extension amid C'garh campaign 'blatant violation' of poll code: Congress

Taking to X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that a desperate Prime Minister announced a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign, which was a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

New Delhi : Congress national general secretary Jairam Ramesh on described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana as a "blatant violation" of the election conduct. Ramesh asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) whether it take note of this and act. He pointed out that the PM's announcement came in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Jairam Ramesh said, "A desperate Prime Minister announced a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign. This is a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Will the @ECISVEEP take note and act? Now, it turns out that the Union Cabinet has not yet approved the extension."

• A desperate Prime Minister announced a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign. This is a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Will the @ECISVEEP take note and act?
  
  Now, it turns out that the Union Cabinet… pic.twitter.com/YGmiiG2p7d

  — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 7, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  A desperate Prime Minister announced a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign. This is a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Will the @ECISVEEP take note and act?
  
  Now, it turns out that the Union Cabinet… pic.twitter.com/YGmiiG2p7d

  — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 7, 2023

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A desperate Prime Minister announced a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in the midst of the Chhattisgarh election campaign. This is a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Will the @ECISVEEP take note and act?

Now, it turns out that the Union Cabinet… pic.twitter.com/YGmiiG2p7d

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 7, 2023

Jairam said that actually, it is not surprising since this is how Mr. Modi functions. "The Cabinet is a non-entity. First his announcement, then Cabinet approval. Recall, November 8 2016? In any case the PMGKY is itself a rebranded and repackaged National Food Security Act, 2013 that as CM Mr. Modi had aggressively opposed," the Congress leader said.

Strongly objecting to the PM's announcement in the midst of elections, Jairam Ramesh said the five-year extension is not only a recognition of the Prime Minister’s flailing image but also of the deepening economic distress and financial pain.

Last week, while addressing a poll rally in Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister had said the free ration scheme, covering 80 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, would be extended. (with agency inputs)