Yogi Adityanath govt recalls 80 lakh ration cards bearing former CM Akhilesh Yadav's image

Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath government has decided to recall about 80 lakh ration cards bearing former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's photo. The government will issue new smart ration cards fitted with a microchip to the people in the coming days. The new ration card will also have a bar code and will be linked with card bearer's AADHAAR number.

UP government orders roll back of ration cards with photograph of former CM Akhilesh Yadav.

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 1, 2017

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had launched a programme for distributing new ration cards bearing his photograph and name in October 2016. Samajwadi Party's rival parties had dubbed the move as a 'cheap political gimmick' in view of the assembly polls.

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Akhilesh, however, sought to downplay the issue, saying it was important for people to know who was working for them.

"People may question why there is a photograph of the chief minister on the bag of ration or on the ration card. If we are helping the poor, there should be some publicity of it. It is important for people to know who is working for them," he had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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