The state has requested quotations from three central agencies to supply food under the Anna Bhagya plan, which offers BPL families an additional five kilogrammes of rice, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, a day after the central government denied to give rice to Karnataka. He claimed that talks over prices were currently taking place with these organisations.
He also criticised the Centre for refusing to give his administration the rice it needed for the programme, one of the five promises, which was intended to begin as soon as the Congress took control in Karnataka.
“What we have done is we have sought quotations from the National Consumers’ Cooperative Federation (NCCF), Kendriya Bhandar and National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED). They have given us quotation,” the Chief Minister told reporters.
He said, “We are negotiating with them. Today the negotiations will happen. After that we will get to know the quantity, quality and price of rice will be decided.”
Siddaramaiah stated that in order to buy items from the open market, tenders must be floated, which takes time.
He claimed that the state had enough ragi and maize to last for six months, but that just two kilogrammes at most can be distributed.
“Two kg Ragi can be given in old Mysuru region and two kg maize in North Karnataka but we still need three kg rice. This is the problem. There isn’t stock of Ragi and maize to supply for the entire year,” the Chief Minister explained.
Siddaramaiah criticised the central government for refusing to supply rice to the state government despite having an ample supply.
Siddaramaiah calls government anti poor
He called the Centre “anti-poor” and accused it of sabotaging a project designed for the social segments with the lowest incomes.
“The Centre did not agree to give us rice only to create problem and scuttle the scheme meant for poor people. They have adequate rice, which in lakhs of tonnes. They are giving it to private people, they are auctioning it but they are not giving to the states,” the Chief Minister said.
According to Siddaramaiah, the state was willing to pay for the rice, so it wasn’t asking for it for free.
He claims that the Centre has already shipped five kilos, at a cost of Rs 36.70 per kg. If rice is provided, the Karnataka government would compensate appropriately.
“What’s the purpose behind denying us rice? It is a scheme for the poor people. You (Centre) are doing politics of hatred. What should we call them? Are they pro-poor or anti-poor? Let the people of the state decide,” he alleged.
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