Punjab government go for joint branding on bags for home delivery of free ration

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has devised a new formula for home delivery of ration under the ‘National Food Security Act,’ ensuring that the central government doesn’t have grounds to withhold funds.

Markfed has specially crafted these bags for ration delivery, featuring joint branding by the Central Government and the AAP Government of Punjab.

The bags bear the inscription of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), with the bottom stating, “The Punjab government has successfully delivered NFSA ration from door to door.” Additionally, the bag’s middle displays the slogan ‘Good governance, free ration,’ accompanied by a depiction of wheat balls, maintaining a distinctive yellow color.

Recall that the Central government has withheld approximately Rs 600 crore of the National Health Mission since October 2022, citing the Punjab government’s non-compliance with central directives on health and wellness center branding.

The threat to withhold a Rs 1837 crore loan under the capital investment scheme also looms due to non-compliance with branding rules for centrally sponsored schemes.

A senior Punjab government official asserts that the Food and Supplies Department diligently adheres to all central branding rules.

With the central government contributing 92% of the free ration, featuring NFSA and Swachh Bharat logos on the bags, the state government asserts its right to home delivery without objection from the central government.