Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal writes to PM Narendra Modi, urges implementation of doorstep ration delivery scheme

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote a fresh letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to implement the doorstep ration delivery scheme in the national capital.

"Till date, I have supported you in all the work of national interest, you should also support us for the same. The scheme should be implemented in the whole country during the COVID times. We are ready to do whatever amendments the Central government wants to make to this scheme. I request you with folded hands on behalf of 70 lakh poor people of Delhi, Sir, please do not stop this scheme," CM Kejriwal wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister.

In his letter to the PM, Kejriwal said the scheme should be implemented across the country in view of COVID-19 otherwise ration shops will act as "super-spreaders".

Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal writes to PM Narendra Modi, urges doorstep ration delivery scheme be implemented in Delhi pic.twitter.com/ju4E87KSUs — ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2021

Kejriwal had earlier alleged that the doorstep ration delivery scheme announced by his government was unnecessarily stalled by the Centre. He alleged that the Centre was fighting with everyone, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra, Delhi and Jharkhand governments, farmers and the people of Lakshadweep.

"People are distressed that the central government is fighting everyone. If we fight like this, how will we tackle COVID-19," the chief minister said at an online briefing. "The Delhi government legally did not require the Centre's approval for the implementation of the scheme, but it sought permission five times to avoid any dispute," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi government on Saturday had claimed the doorstep delivery of ration scheme was rejected by the Lt governor saying the Centre's approval was not sought and that litigation was pending in the high court regarding it.

The central government has said that the Delhi government's claim was "baseless" that its doorstep delivery scheme was rejected. Kejriwal said he was "deeply anguished" over the Centre's rejection of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme and wanted to directly ask the Prime Minister why it was stalled?

The AAP chief pointed out that the scheme will finish the powerful ration mafia in Delhi whom he had fought while working in Delhi's slums 17 years ago and faced attacks several times.

"If you stand with the ration mafia, who will stand with the poor people," the chief minister said, adding that the scheme was intended to benefit 72 lakh people in the national capital.

This ration mafia has strong connections which are evident now as they got the doorstep delivery scheme rejected, he said and added that the Delhi government had made all preparations and was going to launch it in a few days.

He said one reason given by the Centre for rejecting the scheme was that a case has been filed by some ration shop owners in the high court. But the court did not stay the scheme and even the central government did not raise any objection there, the chief minister said.

"Even the name of the scheme was changed after the objection of the central government and yet they are saying no approval was sought. How else do you get approval?" he questioned. The chief minister claimed that it was being said by some central government officers that the Delhi government cannot take credit for the scheme by using the ration provided by the Centre.

"I am not doing this for credit. Please allow implementation of doorstep delivery of ration scheme and I will myself tell everyone that it was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Kejriwal said.

He claimed that this ration does not belong to the BJP or the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but to the people of the country. "It is the responsibility of both of us that it reaches the people without theft," he stated.