Earlier, PM’s photo on vaccination certificate had created a controversy
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – After the display of Narendra Modi’s photos on vaccine certificates, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party now wants his pictures to be seen at places where food is being doled out. The party has asked its state units to put up banners carrying pictures of Prime Minister and state chief minister at the centres where free ration is being distributed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
In its instructions, the party also asked to carry its electoral symbol, the lotus, on the rice bags. BJP general secretary Arun Singh has sent letters to all units underlining that the food scheme must be publicised with great vigour. A set of instructions too have been relayed to the units.
In view of the second wave of Covid-19, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana was reintroduced for two months till June this year in order to minimise the economic hardships being faced by the poor amid lockdown. Five-kilo foodgrain per person per month is provided free of cost under the scheme to over 80 crore beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The scheme has been extended till November-end.
Earlier, the photo of Modi on vaccination certificate had created a controversy with the opposition-ruled states raising objections to the Centre’s moves. In protest, states like Chhattisgarh and West Bengal started carrying pictures of their chief ministers on the vaccine certificates.
In the instructions for the rice bags, the BJP stated that the design of the banner to be displayed at the ration shops has been chalked out by the BJP Delhi office and instructions passed on to the state branches. Ration bags in which the food will be given should display the lotus symbol.
State unit chiefs have been asked to ensure that the instructions are followed without fail. MLAs, MPs and other office-bearers have been asked to ensure that the bags do carry the lotus symbol.
In non-BJP states, the ration bags should carry the lotus symbol, says the letter. In such states, the banners should replace the chief minister’s photo with those of public representatives, lawmakers.
The move, said the party, should be amplified on social media. Party leaders have also been asked to meet the beneficiaries.
