Bangalore: EC puts Shettar's Rs 2 per kg rice scheme on hold
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 29: The ruling BJP in Karnataka suffered a major setback and possible loss of face ahead of the ensuing Assembly elections in the State on May 5 with Election Commission stalling Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s ambitious and hurriedly announced programme of distribution of rice at Rs 2 per kg to below poverty line (BPL) families under the public distribution system.
The Election Commission has directed the State’s Food and Civil Supplies Department not to distribute rice at Rs 2 per kg till the completion of election process to the State legislative assembly.
“We have instructed the Department not to implement the order on providing rice at subsided prices since the model code of conduct come into force,” Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told the media on Thursday.
The Jagadish Shettar regime has decided to distribute rice at Rs 2 per kg to 88.50 lakh BPL families in the State, obviously with an eye on assembly elections.
Under the scheme, the State Government had decided to provide 4 kg of rice to each member subject to a maximum of 20 kg of rice per family.
The programme, if implemented, would have cost the State exchequer Rs 160 crore more.
It may be recalled that the BPL families were being supplied rice Rs 3 per kg so far.
ECI Sampath, Members to Visit Bangalore on April 8, 9
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner of India V S Sampath and other members of the Commission will be visiting Bangalore on April 8 and 9 to review the State’s preparedness for holding the State legislative assembly elections on May 5.
The Election Commission members would hold interactions with the representatives of political parties and hear their grievances on April 8.
The political parties could use the opportunity to give their complaints, if any, to the Commission, the State Chief Electoral Officer said.
Sampath and other members would be interacting with all Deputy Commissioners, who are the designated returning officers, and top police officials of the State on April 9.
Media Workshop on April 3
The CEO and Karnataka Media Academy will be holding a day-long workshop on the “role of media in election reporting” on April 3.
Issues related to paid news, coverage of elections and enforcement of model code of conduct would be discussed during the seminar.
Senior journalists would speak on various relevant topics, the State Chief Electoral Officer said.