For everything that defines a “poor” who can avail the benefits under the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) much flaunted national food scheme, this certainly would leave you wondering.
In Haryana, even if one owns a tractor costing between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh or even more, they would still qualify to be included in the list of priority households that would get subsidised ration every month.
The scheme meant to feed the poor provides for highly subsidised pulses and flour each month to the eligible beneficiaries.
If an individual’s annual income, including that of a family of four, from all sources exceeds Rs 2 lakh, they will not fall within the ambit of the scheme. But a “poor” owning a high-priced tractor will be included in the list.
Those “poor” who own a four-wheeler, even if its second-hand and far less in price than a tractor, cannot claim benefits under the scheme. While talking to Deccan Herald, Panchkula District Magistrate S S Phulia said the list in the state is based on the latest socio-economic census.
He said those who own a car, bus, van and other vehicles can’t be included in the list of beneficiaries, but a tractor is not a part of the excluded categories. Phulia said a tractor is a farm equipment and perhaps due to this it is not a part of the excluded categories.
The “poor” owning a tractor will, however, have to fulfill all the other conditions laid down by the government.
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