Lotus symbol on free-ration bags, PM Modi on banners at shops: BJP tells state units

New Delhi: The BJP has asked party-ruled states to use banners depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and respective Chief Ministers at the ration shop where free ration is being distributed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

BJP general secretary Arun Singh emphasised in a letter sent to all state units that the food scheme must be given heavy publicity. The ration shops are also instructed to display the party symbol.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana is set to minimise the economic hardships being faced by the poor during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as five kilos of food grains are given to one person every month. Over 80 crore beneficiaries are covered by the scheme under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The BJP Delhi office has given specific instructions to state branches about the design of the banner to be displayed at the ration shops. MLAs, MPs, and other officials have been asked to ensure that the instructions are carried out without fail.

The party leaders are also instructed to meet beneficiaries receiving free ration. The letter written to BJP state branches has specified that the ration bags distributed in non-BJP states also will carry the lotus symbol, said the NDTV report. In these states, banners will have public representatives' or lawmakers' images instead of the CM. Ration bags are instructed to be plastic-free as well.

The campaign is set to be amplified through social media.

The opposition-ruled parties have already called out carrying PM Modi's picture on Covid vaccine certificates. States like Chhattisgarh and West Bengal are carrying their chief ministers' pictures on the vaccination certificates as a gesture of protest.