Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
C
hief Minister Siddaramaiah said that action will be taken to procure rice from Government of India’s National Co-operative Consumers Federation (NCCF), National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and Central Bhandar.
He was speaking at the press meet at Home office Krishna, today.
A total of Rs.36.40 will be incurred per Kg (Price of Rice at Rs.34 per KG from Food Council of India (FCI),2.60 Rs.per kg including shipping cost) The price mentioned by these three organizations,the details of the quantity supplied will be obtained.He said action will also be taken to get rice through tender.
10,092 crores required annually to provide 10 kg of rice:
Rs.840 crores is required per month to distribute 10 kg of rice under Annabhagya Yojana.It will cost Rs.10,092 crore per year.
The government is ready to bear this cost and distribute rice.Although the stock of rice is available, the central government is not agreeing to provide rice.
The chief minister said that the state BJP could request the central government to distribute rice to benefit the poor of the state.
The stock of ragi and maize is only enough to supply 2 kg each for 6 months.
2 kg Ragi can be given to the people of Old Mysore and 2 kg of maize to the people of Hyderabad Karnataka and Mumbai Karnataka.He said that the remaining 3 kg of rice will have to be given to the people of the state.
Discussion with Punjab Government:
Responding to the Punjab government’s statement that it is ready to supply rice to Karnataka,CM said that the chief secretary of the government will discuss the matter.He said that the Punjab government will be requested to provide rice at the rate notified by the state.
*Rice will be given without fail:*
Responding to whether the government has time to get rice from central government agencies,the CM said,the government is trying to provide rice to the people of the state from July 1 onwards.
The stock of rice is available in the central government and they have to make up their minds to supply rice to the state.
Rice has to be purchased through MSP. The CM said that our government will definitely launch the Annabhagya scheme.
The Chief Minister said that the central government is practicing hate politics and resorting to politics in distribution of rice to the poor.
It is not cultivating paddy on its own,they receive rice from the states he said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly talks about cooperative Federalism and we live in a Federal system.
The central government receives taxes from the states and they should cooperate,he said.
When the reporters brought to the attention of the chief minister that the farmers of Maharashtra have blocked the barrage and the farmers are protesting against releasing water to Karnataka,he said that he will talk to the farmers and the chief minister of Maharashtra.
Responding to a query on whether the government will complete its five-year term,the chief minister clarified that there is no confusion about the sharing of power.
Answering a question that the Chief Minister could have been the chairman of the GST committee,the CM said that Krishnabyre Gowda is competent enough to become the member of the GST council.
