NO MEANS NO

Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi can be a formidable opponent. Ask the Indian army. As an MP a few years ago, she successfully opposed the purchase of leather sneakers for soldiers. This time around, it’s the NITI Aayog that’s in her crosshairs. The minister shot down the policy body’s recent proposal to swap food worth Rs 158 per month given to pregnant mothers and newborns with direct benefit transfers to their Jan Dhan accounts. She even nixed a UP government proposal to pilot a scheme for cash transfers with rations. In fact, she has fired off a letter to all states advising against DBTs in the scheme. That should nip the idea in the bud.