Is Siddaramaiah Spreading 'Blatant Lies' About Maize Procurement and Imports?
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Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accuses CM Siddaramaiah of spreading falsehoods regarding maize procurement and imports. Joshi claims the state is neglecting farmers while blaming the Centre for its failures. With increasing maize demand, he emphasizes the Centre's commitment to farmers' welfare under Modi's leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi claims Siddaramaiah is lying about maize procurement.
- Joshi criticizes the state for not ensuring proper agreements for maize procurement.
- There has been a significant rise in maize allocation for ethanol production.
- The import duty on maize is set at around 50%.
- The Centre is committed to farmers’ welfare under PM Modi's leadership.
Hubballi, Nov 22 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated on Saturday that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been disseminating "blatant lies" regarding the maize procurement and imports within the state.
Addressing the media in Hubballi, Minister Joshi accused the Siddaramaiah administration of "neglecting" farmers' interests.
"Like someone helpless, the CM now attempts to shift blame to the Centre due to his administration's collapse under failure," he asserted.
The minister questioned the rationale behind the state government not instructing distilleries to establish agreements with the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) or the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to guarantee maize procurement for ethanol production.
"These distilleries, which hold licenses from the state government, should have been firmly directed to enter into formal purchase agreements for maize," he explained.
He also inquired why the state has not mandated distilleries to procure maize at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
According to him, the state government is concealing its "failures" and "administrative paralysis" by blaming the Centre and "misleading" farmers.
Joshi dismissed the assertion that the Centre imported 70 lakh metric tonnes of maize this year, stating, "This is a blatant lie, far removed from the truth. In 2025–26, only 0.5 LMT has been imported. Exports are higher - as much as 2.52 LMT."
The import duty on maize is approximately 50 percent, effectively limiting imports, he added.
Joshi mentioned that maize allocated for ethanol and industrial use has surged: from 8.29 LMT in 2022–23 to 75.38 LMT in 2023–24 and 125.75 LMT in 2024–25.
The Centre has amplified market demand, but the state government has "failed" to ensure farmers benefit, Joshi concluded.
He remarked that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Centre remains dedicated to the welfare of farmers.
Point of View
The ongoing accusations between Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlight the contentious nature of agricultural policies in Karnataka. This situation reflects broader challenges within the state's governance and its impact on farmers' welfare, warranting close observation as it unfolds.
NationPress
22/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What accusations did Pralhad Joshi make against Siddaramaiah?
Pralhad Joshi accused Siddaramaiah of spreading 'blatant lies' regarding maize procurement and imports, claiming the state government is neglecting farmers' interests.
What did Joshi say about maize imports this year?
Joshi dismissed claims that 70 lakh metric tonnes of maize were imported, stating that only 0.5 LMT has been imported in 2025-26.
What is the import duty on maize?
The import duty on maize is approximately 50 percent, which has effectively limited imports.
How has the maize allocation for ethanol changed?
The maize allocation for ethanol and industrial use has significantly increased from 8.29 LMT in 2022-23 to 125.75 LMT in 2024-25.
What is the Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government-set price at which it purchases crops from farmers, ensuring they receive a minimum return.
