Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 5: Speaking at a press conference, former minister U T Khader, had raised the point that the centre had stopped welfare scheme of providing food grains through subsidy to NGOs after finding that some of the NGOs were engaged in irregularities. He pointed out that institutions like Siddaganga Math are hard-hit by this decision.

Alerted by this news, chief minister, B S Yediyurappa, immediately ordered to supply rice and wheat to the NGOs in the state as before.

The government was providing rice and what to Maths, homes for the aged and orphanages under its Dasoha scheme. Recently, these supplies were stopped and Khader had drawn the attention of the people towards this issue, which stirred up a hornet's nest.

Siddaganga Math kitchen (file photo)

At the Cabinet meeting, Yediyurappa got livid at food and civil supplies minister, Shashikala Jolle, on the issue. He told her that such decisions bring bad reputation to the government. He did not listen to clarifications given by the minster and tried to put an end to the controversy by ordering her to continue to supply food grains to NGOs as before.

It is said that the chief minister wanted to know why a small help in the form of providing rice and wheat to institutions serving the people could not be continued. As per the order dated November 12, 2019, December 13, 2019 and December 27, 2019, the government had asked to continue supply of food grains to certain NGOs.

Khader had said that students, inmates of old age homes and others were affected by the changing stance of the government on supplying free food grains. He said that over the last some months, 271 institutions were left out of the coverage of this scheme in phases and that the quantum of rice being issued is planned to be brought down from seven to five kg per person under Anna Bhagya scheme, duly warning that action plan against it would be launched.

The scheme to provide rice and wheat to Maths, orphanages and old age homes had been started by the previous Congress government. It had started to supply 10 kg rice and five kg wheat per person served by these 454 institutions per month.

Head of Siddaganga Math, Tuakiiuru, Sri Siddalinga Swamiji, confirmed that the department of food and civil supplies used to supply 73,590 kg rice and 36,795 kg wheat every month to the Math. "The government had sought details about the usage of food grains supplied to us, and we had provided details. We have not received ration since the last three months," he said. He stated that as per information, the scheme was withdrawn by the central government as some NGOs in north India misused the scheme. Administrative officer of the Math A H Vishwanathaiah, said that the Math has about 10,000 students and 3,000 visitors every day, and they get free food. He said that supply of ration has been stopped, and currently, huge stock of pladdy donated by farmers at the time of demise of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji is being used to provide free food now.

Deputy commissioner of the district Dr K Rakesh Kumar, said that the midday meal programme has not been affected. Zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Shubha Kalyan, said that under midday meal, the state and central share of 40:60 has been maintained and the stoppage must be under some other welfare scheme. District officer for Akshara Dasoha, B P Nagaraju, clarified that schools under the Math are being provided with food grains, milk and edible oils as per the indent.