Efforts by the Centre to woo voters with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in every scheme initiative, however, do not come without costs to the tax-paying citizens. The latest revelation of foodgrain-supplying synthetic bags featuring PM Modi’s image reveals a staggering amount of Rs 13.29 crores, solely in Rajasthan.
According to the Right to Information (RTI) obtained by the RTI activist Ajay Bose, the Jaipur regional office of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has placed orders for synthetic bags featuring the Prime Minister's photograph for the distribution of the foodgrain sacks under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKY), and the total amount amounted to a staggering Rs 13.29 crores.
These bags, intended for use in Rajasthan under the PMGKY scheme, are priced at Rs 12.375 each, with contracts awarded to companies including Salasar Technotex Pvt Ltd, Rajasthan Flexible Packaging Ltd, and Alliance Polysacks Pvt Ltd.
While the PMGKY scheme aims to provide free food grain bags to over 80 crore beneficiaries, questions have been raised about the allocation of funds for branding purposes. Comparisons drawn between different states reveal disparities in expenditure, with Rajasthan purchasing bags at Rs 12.3 each, while Nagaland procures them for Rs 9.3 each from Rajasthan Flexible Packaging.
Notably, the use of branded sacks featuring political figures is a recent phenomenon, as highlighted by an official from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The distribution of unbranded 50 kg jute sacks was standard practice during the initial phases of the PMGKY scheme, which commenced in 2020 amidst the onset of the pandemic.
However, the introduction of branded bags in 2024, ahead of the elections, has sparked debate over the prioritization of political branding over practical considerations.
As the public absorbs these revelations, concerns persist about the allocation of resources within welfare schemes and the potential impact of political branding on public perception and government accountability.