Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that by taking political decision regarding providing rice to the State, Central Government has snatched Kannadiga’s and poor people’s share and proved that Central Government is anti Kannadiga and anti-poor.
He was addressing an emergency press conference regarding Annabhagya in Shakti Bhavan here today.
State Government has already lauched one of the 5 guarantees and had decided to give 10 kg each food grains under Anna Bhagya scheme to Antyodaya and BPL card holders and had written to Deputy General Manager of Food Corporation of India that the State requires 2.28 lakh MT rice on June 9, 2023. Food Corporation of India had accepted State’s request and agreed to provide rice vide letter dated June 12, 2023 at the rate of Rs. 3400/- per quintal. CM expressed outrage about Central Government taking political decision.
The Union Ministry of Food and PDS wrote a letter to Food Corporation of India, on June 13, 2023, directing the sale of Wheat and rice under Open Market Sale Scheme – Domestic, in the open market. And the letter also directed to discontinue the sale of rice and wheat to the States except North Eastern States. CM read out the details to the media and alleged that the Central Government has taken politically motivated decision.
We had announced the launch of the scheme on July 1, 2023, based on the consent from the FCI. Deputy General Manager Mr. Hareesh had ascertained the availability of 7 lakh MT rice with FCI. The motive behind this move by GoI is to prevent launch of Annabhagya, CM alleged.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa has already spoken to rice growing States such as Punjab, Telangana, Andhra, Chattisgarh, Haryana. Punjab has expressed helplessness due to lack of availability. Minister K.H. Muniyappa will meet Telangana Chief Minister tomorrow and we will be getting details about availability of rice in Chhattisgarh by evening. By tomorrow evening we will have a clear picture, he hoped.
We should call them anti poor as they are denying rice despite availability of stock. Central Government doesn’t give rice for free. We pay them for that. But they have arrived at the conclusion of not to give rice to Karnataka. We are still making efforts. We will appeal again. But this move is considered as a conspiracy against us, he said.