From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Jun 21: In his first official visit to Delhi after forming the Congress government in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to President Droupadi Murmu.

Housing and Wakfs Minister Z A Zameer Ahmed Khan and Urban Development Minister Byarathi Suresh also accompanied the chief minister.

Speaking to media persons in Karnataka Bhavan, the chief minister said he will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discuss with him on several issues, including supply of rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) for implementing the government’s flagship programme of Anna Bhagya.

Siddaramaiah explained the FCI backtracking on its previous promise of agreeing to supply 2.28 lakh tonnes of rice as per the letter on June 13 and the FCI chairman’s letter on June 14 stating that Open Free Sale of Rice is not possible. Though FCI has a stock of 7 lakh tonnes, its refusal on the direction of the Centre to backtrack on the promise is "nothing but playing politics and the 'anti-poor’ policies of the BJP".

The chief minister said Karnataka has approached several states but they have made it clear that they will not be able to supply the State’s requirement of 2.8 lakh tonnes.

However, Andhra Pradesh has now agreed to supply rice at Rs 42 per kg excluding transportation costs. Telangana has indicated that it has paddy but not rice. Chattisgarh chief minister has promised to supply 1 lakh tonnes of rice per month, which again involves huge transportation costs. Our officials are in touch with Punjab government, he said.

Siddaramaiah said he will take up the issue with Amit Shah and also discuss many other issues pertaining to Karnataka.