From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 27: With prices essential commodities, especially foodgrains, skyrocketing causing acute problems to the poorer and middle class sections of the people, the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP regime has come out plans to sell rice at Rs 17 a kg and wheat at Rs 14.70 a kg through all Janata Bazars and government-run cooperative societies in Karnataka as part of the steps to bring down the rising prices of rice and wheat.

All sections of people can buy a maximum of 25 kg of rice or wheat per family per month by providing necessary identity cards, Karnataka’s food and civil supplies minister Hartalu Halappa announced in Bangalore on Wednesday.

He, however, made it clear that the large number of fair price shops in the state would be involved in the task of selling subsidised rice and wheat as some of such shops were likely to blackmarket the foodgrains available for distribution to card holders at Rs 3 a kg to the higher price of Rs 17 a kg.

The minister said the Government had stocks of 40,000 tonnes of rice and 61,265 tonnes of wheat available with it for selling at subsidised rates.

Asked how long the scheme would be continued, he said the Government planned to run the scheme till the open market prices came down to manageable levels. ``We will buy more foodgrains if it becomes absolutely necessary,’’ he said explaining that the chief minister was very keen to ensure that the people were spared of hardships due the spiraling prices of essential commodities.