Central minister told Karnataka government, if you can’t give free rice, then leave power

Chikmagalur (IANS) | Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje has told the Congress government in Karnataka that it should either provide 10 kg of rice free of cost as promised during the elections or step down. Talking to reporters in Chikkamagaluru, Shobha Karandlaje on Wednesday said that they (Congress government) have to give a total of 15 kg free rice to the people. The central government already gives five kilograms of free rice.

He said, Congress leaders made false promises only to win the elections. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should withdraw his statements in this regard.

She questioned, women are asked for certificates for bus passes. Do I need a certificate to prove that I am a woman?

Fingers are pointed at the Prime Minister for free rice, funds, electricity and everything, he said. In such a situation, why have you (Congress) distributed guarantee cards to the people? Buy rice from farmers and distribute it among the people.

The Karnataka government has attacked the central government for denying the sale of rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had alleged that the BJP was stealing the poor man’s food and trying to sabotage the Anna Bhagya scheme under which 10 kg of free rice would be distributed to each family member of BPL card holders.

A war of words has broken out between the BJP and the Congress on this issue. The Congress had staged a sit-in against the central government. The BJP also opposed it and some of its leaders were arrested and later released.

–IANS