Question Hour on Day 2 of Assembly Session
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 19 Feb: The second day of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session began at 11 a.m., today, with Question Hour as per the tradition. During Question Hour, the Opposition cornered the government on pressing issues, including smart meters and land laws.
It was the day for Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya to respond to the members’ question on the ministries under her charge. Most questions pertained to ration cards and food security schemes, while some questions also were about the sports department, also under the charge of Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya.
Opposition MLAs, including Congress MLA Bhuvan Chand Kapri and Independent MLA Umesh Kumar, raised concerns on various issues pertaining to ration cards, and the Antyodaya scheme. MLA Pritam Singh Panwar raised concerns that new ration cards are not being made, and this is creating lot of difficulties for the consumers.
Food Supply Minister Rekha Arya responded that new ration cards are being regularly issued but added that under the Antyodaya and Primary family cards, the new ration cards are only made against cancellations.
MLA Munna Singh Chauhan and others also raised objections to the capping implemented on the issue of new ration cards and providing data on cancelled and newly issued cards.
In response to the question, Rekha Arya shared with the House that 920 cards have been cancelled under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana with 1683 units cancelled due to ineligibility. Against the cancellations, she stated that 754 new ration cards have been issued.
She also informed the House that, in all, 3,566 primary family cards have been cancelled with a total of 10,741 units being cancelled. Against these cancellations, 3235 new ration cards under primary family cards category with 11,485 new units being issued.
Minister Rekha Arya informed the House that there is a demand for 1,76,000 Antyodaya cards in the state. She assured that individuals can report ineligible ration card holders to the department or the CM portal so that new ration cards can be made of eligible persons,
In response to another question, Women Welfare Minister Rekha Arya informed the House that 168 Anganwadi cum Creche Centres have been approved in the state but are awaiting budget allocation and would be set up as soon as this happens. These centres will provide care for children of working women between 6 months to 6 years. MLA Munna Singh Chauhan suggested that all the Creche centres be run inside all the Aanganwari Centres.
MLAs from the ruling party posed questions about ration cards, including the issue of new cards and review of existing ones. Minister Rekha Arya explained that campaigns are conducted to review ration cards, and new cards are issued based on vacancies.
Opposition MLA Sumit Hridayesh questioned the government’s decision to abbreviate the names of two former Prime Ministers on an invitation card. Minister Rekha Arya responded that the names were written, but a debate ensued. The Question Hour concluded with these discussions.
