Chandigarh: The Punjab Congress on Monday lashed out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the proposed deletion of over 11 lakh ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the AAP government of bowing to the BJP-led central government’s pressure. “Modi proposes, Mann disposes,” Warring remarked, expressing disappointment that despite earlier assurances, the state government had moved forward with plans that could exclude lakhs of beneficiaries from receiving free wheat.

Warring alleged that the move targets the poor, marginalized, and downtrodden sections, including Dalits and laborers, who traditionally do not vote for the BJP.

He said the decision follows a pattern of the state government acting against farmers and the economically weaker sections at the behest of the Centre.

Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, echoed the criticism, calling the step a “shameful betrayal” of the state’s poorest citizens and urging the government to reconsider.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann clarified that no ration cards will be deleted immediately. He said the state has requested six months from the Union government to verify the cards, citing the impact of recent floods.

Mann criticized the parameters being used for deletion, such as ownership of four-wheelers, government jobs, or small landholdings, saying it was unfair to penalize entire families for a single member’s status.

Currently, about 1.52 crore beneficiaries receive free wheat under the NFSA in Punjab.