The confrontation between the Centre and the Delhi government over the latter's proposed doorstep delivery of rations continues, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sending the proposal to Lt Governor Anil Baijal once again for reconsideration, claiming that all the objections raised by the union government have been dealt with.
Kejriwal has written to Baijal, pointing out the changes made in the scheme to remedy the issues raised by the Centre when it decided not to approve it, and it was stalled just two days before it was supposed to be rolled out.
He pointed out that in view of the Centre's objections, the name of the scheme was changed to remove any link with the chief minister. He said Delhi government had on March 19, 2021 received a letter from the Centre objecting to the name of the scheme. The chief minister said the scheme is meant to implement the Centre's order dated February one, 2018 which directed all states and union territories to ensure home delivery of ration to senior citizens, differently abled people and women.
“In accordance with Central Government's direction, we are creating a system of home delivery of rations. FPS (fair price shops) will continue to exist. Both the systems will exist on ground. However, Delhi Government has gone a step ahead and implemented doorstep delivery scheme for all its citizens rather than restricting it only for pregnant women, differently-abled citizens and senior citizens,” Kejriwal wrote.
He said that as part of the scheme, every citizen would have a choice – he could take ration from either FPS or home delivery. Kejriwal said the Lt Governor's insistence on referring the matter to the Central Government for its approval does not appear correct. “The approval of the Central Government is neither mandated nor necessary,” he said, adding that the Delhi government was merely implementing the Centre's orders through doorstep delivery of rations.
He also said that it has become even more imperative to roll out the scheme in view of COVID-19 pandemic. With the third wave of COVID-19 round the corner, and children expected to be hit more this time round, he said compelling parents and guardians to physically procure rations from fair price shops would expose them to the virus and subsequently make children more vulnerable.
