K’taka CM launches `1/kg rice scheme
Amid voices of dissent within the ruling party over the viability of such an expensive scheme and criticism by Opposition parties that it would turn out a laid-back labour force, chief minister Siddaramaiah fulfilled a poll-eve promise of providing rice at `1 a kg to almost a crore poor families with the launch of “Anna Bhagya” on Wednesday.
The scheme would cost the state exchequer `4, 200 crore a year, but Mr Siddaramaiah who announced it hours after taking oath on May 13, defended it saying his vision was to ensure a state free of hunger. The launch itself was postponed twice as the government could not build up adequate stocks of rice through May and June. The government procured rice from Chhattisgarh at `22.90 a kg for the benefit of 86.89 lakh BPL (below poverty line) and 11.17 lakh “Anthyodaya Anna Yojane” card holders.
Hitting back at his detractors soon after flagging off the scheme, Mr Siddaramaiah said “We have delivered as promised. It is our commitment to make Karnataka hunger-free. The government is there for giving justice to the deprived and the hungry. Distribution of subsidised rice will not make people lazy. If that is so, have people of Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh become lazy?”
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