From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 17: Chattisgarh is ready to supply 1.5 lakh tonnes of rice, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday.

However, the State Government is yet to take up the offer on account of the high transportation cost.

"We are holding a meeting with officials and will discuss the issue,’’ he said.

Siddaramiah, however, affirmed that the government is firm on implementing the flagship Anna Bhagya Guarantee scheme.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the Telanagana Chief Minister Y Chandrashekar Rao has informed the government that it does not have surplus rice.

Karnataka’s officials, including Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, is in talks with her Andhra Pradesh counterpart.

Answering a question on the statement by BJP MLA B Y Vijayendra that sufficient quantities of rice is available within the State and the charge that the Congress government is talking about sourcing rice from other States with a view to pocket commission, Siddaramaiah shot back: "Let him arrange the rice and we will buy it.’’

It is the BJP and Narendra Modi government, which wants to scuttle the Anna Bhagya scheme by directing Food Corporation of India to go back on its promise to supply the required quantity of rice under the Open Market Sale scheme, he said charging Modi regime and BJP as anti-poor.

Earlier, he received Sri Mallikarjuna Mahaswamy of Murugha Mutt of Dharwad.

The seers of Savanur Doddahunasekalmatha Sri Channabasava Mahaswamy, Humnababd Hugudi village Sri Chennamallaswamiji, Sri Siddalinga Swamy of Vijapura and MLAs VinayaKulkarni, Konareddy and others were present.