Karnataka Government Refuses Centre's Rice Offer, Missing Out on Rs 2,280 Crore Savings: Union Minister
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Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi claims Karnataka's refusal to accept the Centre's rice offer at Rs 22.50 per kilo results in a potential annual loss of Rs 2,280 crore. The state government has rejected this opportunity despite ongoing struggles among its citizens to access adequate rice supplies.
Key Takeaways
- Centre's Offer: Rice available at Rs 22.50 per kilo.
- Annual Savings: Karnataka could save Rs 2,280 crore.
- Current Price: State buys rice at Rs 34 per kilogram.
- Public Struggles: Citizens only receiving 5 kg of rice.
- Siddaramaiah's Criticism: Claims Centre is withholding rice.
Hubballi (Karnataka), Feb 17 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Pralhad Joshi has stated that the Centre is offering rice to Karnataka at a minimum price of Rs 22.50 per kilo, which could lead to an annual savings of Rs 2,280 crore for the state. However, the Congress-led government is unwilling to accept this offer.
In response to media reports indicating that citizens of Karnataka are struggling to receive even 10 kilograms of rice, with many only receiving 5 kilos, Minister Joshi remarked on Monday that the state government has turned down a Rs 10 discount from the Centre. The ruling Congress party had committed to providing 10 kg of free rice for every member of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family under the Anna Bhagya free rice initiative.
The current rate at which the Karnataka government procures rice is Rs 34 per kilogram. Despite the Central government offering a reduced price of Rs 22.50 per kilo—a Rs 10 discount—the state has refused to buy it, Joshi highlighted.
The Minister stressed that if the state government were to procure rice at this rate, it would save Rs 2,280 crore annually. He accused the CM Siddaramaiah-led government of intentionally overlooking this opportunity.
Minister Joshi further noted that the Central government is prepared to supply as much rice as Karnataka requires. However, despite this commitment, the Siddaramaiah administration remains unwilling to procure rice from the Centre, he claimed.
In his criticism of the Karnataka government, Minister Joshi accused it of misleading the public with empty promises. “The Siddaramaiah government came to power by making guarantees to the populace but has failed to deliver. Rather than distributing rice, the government has not provided the financial aid promised under schemes like Gruha Laxmi,” he stated.
Under the Gruha Laxmi scheme, every woman who heads a family is promised a cash incentive of Rs 2,000 every month.
He further charged the Congress-led state government with making unscientific policy declarations without proper planning, resulting in an economic crisis. “The state treasury has been depleted, and people are enduring rising prices. The citizens will teach this government a lesson,” Minister Joshi concluded.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticized the Central government, claiming it is refusing to provide rice to Karnataka. He launched a series of attacks on this issue during the Lok Sabha elections.
The ruling Congress party workers organized statewide protests against the Central government, accusing it of withholding rice that is available with the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
During a speech to the protesters, Shivakumar affirmed, “We are determined to eradicate hunger in the state and plan to provide 10 kilograms of rice through the Anna Bhagya scheme. The Centre is obstructing the implementation of this scheme. The public should make their displeasure known to the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha, panchayat, and corporation elections.”
“Even if the Centre does not provide rice, we will source it from other states and ensure it reaches the people. We are not asking for free rice from the Centre. They are now refusing under the guise of a changed policy,” he claimed.
