From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 19: Karnataka to seek rice supplies from National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and Central Godowns – all coming under the control of Central Government – for the Congress government’s ambitious Anna Bhagya scheme, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Bengaluru on Monday.

“We have asked for the rates from these Central organisations,’’ he said addressing a news conference at his home office of Krishna.

Siddaramaiah said the supplies from Food Corporation of India (FCI) costs Rs 34 per kg and with a transport cost of Rs 2.60 per kg, the per kg cost works out to Rs 36.80.

The government will get the rates fixed by the 3 Central organisations and the transportation costs. ``We will also try to procure rice by floating tenders,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister said the total cost of the Anna Bhagya scheme for distributing10 kg of rice per head per month for BPL card holders works to Rs 10,092 crore annually. The distribution cost for 10 kg per head per month will be Rs 840 crore.

He said the Congress government is ready to spend Rs 10,092 crore annually for its Anna Bhagya scheme as part of the strategy to wage a war against hunger.

But the FCI, under the directions of Narendra Modi’s BJP government which wants to create hurdles in the Anna Bhagya implementation, is not supplying the rice even though it has sufficient stocks.

The BJP leaders, who are crying hoarse and threatening to launch an agitation is the scheme is not implemented from July 1, can and should utilise the same energy and efforts to exert pressure on the Centre if they are really interested in working for the poor and fighting against hunger, Siddaramaiah said.

He said Karnataka has stocks of ragi and jowar for distribution sufficient for six months. The people in Old Mysuru region can be supplied 2 kgs of ragi per head per month while people in Hyderabad Karnataka and Mumbai Karnataka region can be supplied 2 kg of jowar per head per month. For the rest of people in the State, 3 kgs of rice needs to be supplied, he explained.

To a question on the willingness of Punjab government to supply rice to Karnataka, he said the Chief Secretary has already discussed with the Punjab government and the further talks will be held on the rates, he said.

The Chief Minister said the government is making honest efforts to procure the rice and roll out the Anna Bhagya scheme from July 1.

“Let the BJP and the states who want to play politics to ensure the failure of the Anna Bhagya scheme, carry on with their nefarious designs. We are determined to implement the scheme and help the poor,’’ he declared.

Siddaramaiah attacked the Modi regime, smarting at BJP’s defeat in the State, is continuing its politics of hatred and vendetta to block the sale of rice by FCI despite its having sufficient stocks and also going back on the commitment to supply.

“Does the Centre cultivates rice from its own lands? They are procuring it from the States, which produce rice, and are now playing dirty games,’’ he said.

Reminding Modi of his frequent talks on cooperative federalism, Siddaramaiah said the Prime Minister must walk the talk. ``The Centre should remember that it is the States which contribute its revenues and therefore is duty bound to support and cooperate with the States,’’ he said.

Asked about the blockage of Maharashtra’s barrages against release of water to Karnataka, he said the government will take up the issue with the Maharashtra Chief Minister and representatives of farmers to help the State’s farmers.

When asked the Chief Minister himself could have participated in the discussions of the GST committee of States, Siddaramaiah shot back: Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda is quite competent and has all the eligibility of representing the State.