Karnataka govt unwilling to procure rice from Centre, save Rs 2,280 crore annually: Union Minister. The ruling Congress party had promised 10 kg of free rice for every member of the BPL family under the Anna Bhagya free rice scheme. The Karnataka government currently buys rice at Rs 34 per kilogram. However, despite the Central government offering a reduced price of Rs 22.50 per kilo — a Rs 10 discount — the state has refused to procure it, Minister Joshi pointed out. He accused the Siddaramaiah government of deceiving the public with false promises. \”The state treasury has been emptied, and people are suffering from rising prices. The people themselves will teach this government a lesson,\” he concluded. He further accused the Congress-led state government of making unscientific policy announcements without proper planning, leading to an economic crisis. The Central government is ready to provide as much rice as needed to Karnataka, he alleged. The Chief Minister had earlier come down heavily on the Centre alleging that it is refusing to provide rice to the state. He had launched a series of attacks during the Lok Sabha election in this regard.
