After Centre extends PMGKY, Mamata announces free ration for poor in Bengal till June 2021

New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced that state govt will provide free ration to poor in the state till next year.

Mamata’s announcement came soon after PM Modi announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) till November under which 80 crore people will be given free foodgrains.

“The Centre’s ration policy should be to provide ration to each and every one of the 130 crore population of the country,” she said. “I am extending free ration for poor till June 2021,” Mamata said.

The centre had rolled out PMGKY scheme for three months from April, soon after the nationwide lockdown was announced to combat the COVID-19.

Bengal headed for polls next year

Mamata’s announcement assumes significance in light of the fact that Bengal will go to polls next year. It may be noted that BJP has emerged as the main challenger against Mamata’s TMC which has been ruling the state for a decade.

In the Lok Sabha elections last year, BJP snatched a lion’s share of seats from TMC raising its tally from 2 seats to 18.

Mamata on ban of Chinese apps

Mamata also said banning apps will not be enough, asserting that China needs to be given a befitting reply. The Trinamool Congress supremo, however, said she would leave it to the Centre to decide on the issue.

“It is a subject of the external affairs department, we will support the central government stand…. But, we have to be very aggressive on one hand and on the other, use the diplomatic channel. Only banning a few apps will not be a proper reply, we have to give China a befitting reply,” she said while addressing a press conference.

India on Monday banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including the hugely-popular TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.