Chandigarh, August 23, 2025 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday asserted that no beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) would be removed from the state’s records, rejecting a directive from the BJP-led Central Government to verify and delete “suspicious” ration cardholders.
The statement came after a report by The Tribune revealed that the Centre had asked Punjab to remove lakhs of beneficiaries by September 30, citing criteria such as income tax payees, company directors, owners of more than five acres of land, or four-wheeler owners. The Centre questioned whether individuals meeting these standards should continue to receive subsidised wheat under the NFSA.
“We received a report from the Centre that 8,02,493 ration cards are being cut. This would deprive 32 lakh beneficiaries in Punjab of subsidised wheat,” Mann said. “Of the 1.53 crore beneficiaries, the state government has verified 1.29 crore according to the original checklist. When they create new checklists, Punjabis, who contribute to making the country food secure, will become the losers. How can those who grow the grains for the country be denied subsidised wheat themselves?”
Mann said he has requested a six-month extension from the Centre to allow time for proper verification. He added that the issue of Punjab’s beneficiaries would be raised at the highest levels of the Union Government.
The Chief Minister’s firm stance comes amid growing concern over the potential exclusion of large numbers of families from food security entitlements, which provide essential subsidised wheat to millions across the state.
