The Karnataka government is in a scramble to procure rice after the Centre discontinued the sale of rice through the open market scheme that had helped states mop up additional stocks for welfare projects.
Set to implement its Anna Bhagya scheme that offers 10kg free rice to each member of below-poverty-line families and Antyodaya card-holders every month starting July 1, the Congress government was in for a rude shock when the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution on June 13 directed the Food Corporation of India to discontinue the sale of rice under the Open Market Scheme (Domestic).
The order came just a day after the FCI approved the state’s request for 13,819 metric tonnes and another lot of 2.08 lakh metric tonnes of rice under the scheme at the rate of Rs 34 per kilo besides transportation charges.
The Karnataka government saw in the move to discontinue the scheme an attempt by the Narendra Modi government to scupper the Anna Bhagya project after the loss in the Assembly elections.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday slammed the Union government and Prime Minister Modi for the “anti-Karnataka” stand.
“In a desperate attempt to create problems for the implementation of Anna Bhagya 2.0, the @narendramodi-led Government of India writes to FCI to stop sale of rice to State under Open Market Sale Scheme,” the chief minister tweeted on Thursday.
While the Centre was already supplying 5 kilos of rice per head, the state would require 2.28 lakh kilos of rice each month to provide the additional five kilos.
“Why is @narendramodi & @BJP4Karnataka against us giving 10kg of free rice to deserving people? Why do they want to snatch the food away from poor people?” Siddaramiah questioned.
“The BJP is always anti-Karnataka and we have been saying this since 2014. Narendra Modi’s step-motherly treatment towards Karnataka has caused Kannadigas great trouble since 2014. BJP leaders had openly threatened Kannadigas during elections by saying that all schemes will be stopped if the BJP is not voted to power. Is this letter to the FCI an outcome of that?”