Centre trying to obstruct Anna Bhagya scheme in Karnataka: Priyank Kharge
Kalaburagi: Karnataka Minister for Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge has accused the Union government of engaging in 'politics of hatred' against the people of state. Speaking to reporters at Kalaburagi, Kharge charged the Central government with conspiring to obstruct implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme in the state.
"People of Karnataka who were unhappy with the BJP had defeated the party in the Assembly elections. Unable to tolerate this, the Central government is resorting to 'politics of hatred,' now," Kharge alleged.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 2 announced that a total of 10 kg of rice, including 5 kg from the state government and 5 kg from the Centre, would be distributed through the public distribution system. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) initially agreed to supply 2.08 lakh metric tonnes of rice at Rs 3,400 per quintal. But due to the influence of the Food Supply and Public Distribution Department, the FCI abruptly reneged on its commitment through a letter dated June 13," he said.
"The fact that FCI has sufficient stock of rice and is ready to supply it to private parties, but refuses to supply it to the state, shows that the Centre does not want to protect the interests of people of Karnataka and make the state hunger-free," Kharge stated.
He further questioned the government's priorities by highlighting the announcement made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the supply of food grains to the US and European countries. When asked about the launch of the Annabhagya scheme on July 1, Kharge responded that Chhattisgarh has agreed to supply 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of rice.
"The successful implementation of the scheme on the proposed date rests on whether PM Modi makes up his mind and supplies rice, irrespective of the state's electoral decisions," Kharge said.
