The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing an election rally in Karakat Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar on Wednesday, claimed that the free ration scheme is supplying people with more foodgrains than they can consume, resulting in surplus being sold in the market.
Speaking in Bhojpuri, Singh stated, “Are you not getting five kilogrammes of foodgrains each? I know if there are four members in a family, each is getting a supply of 5 kg and those who are not able to consume it, sell off the surplus,” he said with a chuckle.
Singh highlighted the achievements of the central government, emphasizing that welfare measures such as toilets and pucca houses were provided with a spirit of service, not as favors. He also cited figures to assert that the food inflation rate in India is “the lowest in the world” at 2.91%, compared to higher rates in countries like the US, France, Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
“There is so much hullabaloo around price rise. I would like to tell you that food inflation in the country is the lowest in the world at 2.91 per cent. In the US, it is 7.79 per cent, 19 per cent in France, 8.5 per cent in Australia, 48 per cent in Pakistan and 21 per cent in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Challenging the Congress and its Bihar ally RJD to counter his facts, Singh declared that he would admit any mistakes, as he has never tried to deceive people in his political career. He also mocked the Congress, comparing its potential extinction to that of dinosaurs and likening the RJD to an unsteady lantern running out of oil.
Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strengthening India’s global standing and deterring terrorism from Pakistan. He also lauded the government’s actions such as scrapping Article 370 and legislating against triple talaq, asserting that the BJP acts to protect the honor of women without concern for votes.
Looking ahead, Singh suggested that after the elections, the Modi government might introduce more welfare measures, such as extending free medical treatment under the Ayushman scheme to people over 70. He also supported NDA candidate Upendra Kushwaha, noting the symbolic significance of his election symbol, the gas cylinder, as Modi plans to distribute more gas cylinders in his next tenure.