During a campaign rally in Chhattisgarh’s Durg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant announcement, stating that the Centre will extend the free ration scheme to benefit 80 crore impoverished individuals throughout the nation for the next five years. This move aims to provide essential food supplies to those in need and ensure their well-being.
Prime Minister Modi emphatically declared, “I have decided that the BJP government will extend the scheme of providing free ration to 80 crore poor people in the country for the next 5 years.” This commitment underscores the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of the less privileged.
However, the political rally also provided a platform for Prime Minister Modi to address a recent controversy surrounding Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had asserted that Chief Minister Baghel received a substantial sum of Rs 508 crore from promoters of the Mahadev betting app, based on statements made by an arrested suspect in the case.
#WATCH | Durg, Chhattisgarh: "I have decided that the BJP government will extend the scheme of providing free ration to 80 crore poor people of the country for the next 5 years, " said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier today pic.twitter.com/iGfeOJGTrb
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023
Modi seized the opportunity to criticize the state’s Congress government, claiming that it had exploited numerous opportunities to siphon off resources and wealth. He alluded to a recent incident where a significant sum of cash was seized during an ED operation in Raipur, indicating that this money was allegedly associated with individuals involved in illegal betting activities.
The Prime Minister expressed concerns that this ill-gotten wealth had been amassed through the exploitation of the state’s poor and youth. He accused Congress leaders of accumulating significant wealth through dubious means, raising questions about the transparency and integrity of their actions.
Modi further emphasized that these allegations had garnered media attention, which suggested a connection between the money seized and the Chief Minister. He urged the Congress government and Chief Minister Baghel to clarify the nature of their association with the individuals implicated in the Dubai-based betting app scandal.
The Prime Minister’s speech also criticized the Congress party’s approach, accusing them of prioritizing personal financial gain through corrupt practices. He emphasized a popular phrase in Chhattisgarh, stating, “30 taka kakka, apka kaam pakka,” which translates to implying a 30 percent commission in all government activities under the Congress government.
In summary, Prime Minister Modi announced the extension of the free ration scheme for 80 crore underprivileged citizens and used the occasion to express his concerns regarding the alleged financial improprieties involving Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and the Congress government in Chhattisgarh. These developments underscore the ongoing dialogue surrounding transparency, corruption, and public welfare in Indian politics.
