Chandigarh, Aug. 24 -- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has alleged that the BJP-led central government is engaged in "ration chori" by attempting to cancel over 8 lakh ration cards in the state, a move that he says would deprive around 55 lakh Punjabis of their food security benefits.

The chief minister expressed his firm opposition to the Centre's decision and vowed that no cardholder in Punjab would lose their entitlement while he remains in office.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Mann revealed that the central government had recently issued a directive to Punjab authorities suggesting the removal of 8,02,493 ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). He said the Centre has cited the failure of these beneficiaries...