Jeevaraj announces Shettar's Rs 2 per kg rice scheme launch from Mar 21
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 15: Even as the Election Commission is getting ready to begin the electoral exercise for the Karnataka Assembly, the Jagadish Shettar-led BJP regime is in a tearing hurry to implement the budget approved programme of distributing rice at Rs 2 per kg to all the below poverty line (BPL) families in the State, which will be launched from March 21.
Announcing the State Government’s decision to launch the Rs 2 per kg rice distribution programme, State Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister D N Jeevaraj said the programme will be launched by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, Deputy Chief Ministers K S Eshwarappa and R Ashok at Koppa near Sringeri in Chikmagalur district.
About 98 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders across the State will benefit from the scheme from March, he said.
Jeevaraj said the department is giving advertisements for Above Poverty Line (APL) card holders to purchase rice at fare price shops which is given at Rs 10 per kg.
In the wake of steep hike in the price of rice, the purchase of rice by APL card holders has increased, the minister said and pointed out that the Government was keen to help the people to beat the inflationary pressures.
"We are planning to raise the quantity of rice from 9 kgs to 13 kgs soon," he said, adding: ''We are aware of the plight of the middle class sections as well.”
The BJP Government is taking care to protect the interests of both the BPL and APL families, he said.
Jeevaraj explained that applications for ration cards are being received from the people and as many as 7,337 applications have been received so far.
To contain the misuse, the department had asked the applicants to add introducer’s name and card number.
He said Harish Gowda, an upright retired IAS officer, who had held various key positions in the State Government has been appointed as the adviser to the minister.
The minister maintained that 57,600 metric tonne rice given to BPL cardholders, 32,000 metric tonne rice given to AAY (Anna Antyodya scheme) and 56,200 metric tonnes of rice is given to APL cardholders.
Responding to questions, the minister said the department has ordered a probe into the alleged violation of MRP on food and beverages in multiplexes of the city and steps would be taken to punish the guilty based the findings of the probe.
BJP MLC Ashwathnarayan and State party office-bearer S Prakash had raised the issue of selling of one litre of water for Rs 50 in city multiplexes.
Jeevaraj said the officials of weights and measures were already looking into the issue.
The probe is being conducted to find a permanent solution for the problem.
"We have to see whether multiplexes have got permission to charge exorbitant prices for food and beverages by paying tax to the government. We have to see whether it is legally permissible to sell any things beyond the MRP, fixed as per the statutory norms,” he explained.
Jeevaraj further explained that the officials were also looking into the matter by taking the help of various departments.
''We are aware of the menace hotels and restaurants selling food at higher prices taking advantage of the rise in the price of rice,” he said pointing out that he would soon convene a meeting of hotel owners in this regard and discuss the issue with them.
''By next week, the government will try to sort out the problem," he added.
'Food Fight':