New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Bihar drew criticisms from opposition quarters for distributing free ration to beneficiaries of the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY). The saffron party across India has been publicising the government scheme for the poor across the country, but the Bihar episode may be the first in which the saffron party leaders were seen distributing PM-GKAY grains directly rather than government functionaries.

Every ration cardholder is entitled to 5 kg rice/wheat for free per month until November 2021. The measure was taken by the Union government as an emergency move during the pandemic, and the economic crisis induced by it. 

According to the government portal, Bihar has issued around 1.7 crore ration cards. BJP leaders have been distributing ration to the beneficiaries in sacks that have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image printed on them. “Top BJP leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi, Union minister Nityanand Rai and Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey were recently seen distributing sacks of ration,” the daily reported. 

Also read: Why Is Nitish Kumar up against BJP on the Pegasus Row and Caste-Based Census?

The primary opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal’s spokesperson Mrityunjay Tewari told the newspaper, “How can BJP misuse a government platform? It is a blatant use of a government scheme to further the interest of the party. The BJP is giving the impression that ration cardholders are also getting free grain along with free sacks."

While making it clear that only government workers and agencies should distribute free ration, he said that while RJD workers went around to create awareness among people regarding the scheme, BJP leaders were trying to take “undue advantage” from it. 

Similarly, Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said that the dulling of the line between government and the BJP is “unfair and bad”. “But then, anything is possible under the present dispensation. We, as the Opposition, can only raise our voice against it,” he said. 

BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan, however, dismissed the seriousness of the criticism. “PM-GKAY is a revolutionary scheme that has ensured ration for more than 80 crores people from across the country… The unnecessary controversy by a section of the Opposition is nothing but a failed attempt to dilute the relevance of this scheme,” he said. 

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.