Why do the elite and the courts oppose 'free ration' for the poor?

Over 81 crore people get 5 kg grain monthly under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, while poor families receive 35 kg for free

- ALOK MEHTA

A well-known journalist and author in the country, who is also a supporter of civil rights and an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raised objections to the government's free ration scheme for the poor in his column this week. Therefore, he cannot be labeled anti-government. However, he is not alone in opposing the free ration distribution. Many from the affluent and middle classes also criticize this policy.

Like the writer, they argue that such schemes are making people lazy, and instead of working, they are taking undue advantage of free benefits.

These critics fail to acknowledge that once the poor receive free food grains, they can use their earnings from labor to buy clothes for their wives and children, essential household items for their huts or kutcha houses, and milk and water. Free education and books from government schools make their children slightly educated. These poor families also work in the homes, farms, or shops of the very same affluent and middle-class people.

Another important point is that the government purchases millions of tons of grains from farmers at fair prices before distributing them. If the government only buys the grain, what would it do with the stock?