Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jul 25: The two partners involved with the coalition government in the state have owned totally different stands over the issue of quantum of rice being issued to ration card holders under 'Annabhagya' scheme and distribution of free bus passes. Their contrasting stands have given rise to a sense of bewilderment among the general public.
Although chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, had clearly said that rice being given to ration card holders under 'Annabhagya' scheme has been pegged at five kg per month. Still, food and civil supplies minister, Zameer Ahmed Khan, has been repeatedly saying that the chief minister has never discussed the issue of reducing quantum of rice under the scheme and that officially he has not received any communication about modification in the said scheme. On Tuesday too, Zameer stated that there is no reduction of quantum of rice being issued under 'Annabhagya' scheme. When questioned about reduction of rice being given under the scheme, Zameer reiterated on Tuesday that no such discussions were held at any of the meetings and that rice will continue to be given at the rate of seven kg per card.
On the issue of free bus passes, the chief minister has said that only government school children will get this facility. But deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwar, has been saying that the government is still considering issuance of free bus passes even for private school children. Speaking to media persons at Belagere in Chitradurga district on Tuesday, Parameshwar said again that the government is considering the prospects of issuing bus passes to private students, although in the first phase, passes would be given to government school students.
Kumaraswamy also seems to be having two minds over the bus pass issue. On Tuesday, he said here that a decision about issuance of passes only for government school children or also students of aided schools, would be taken after assessing the burden. He said that transport and education departments have been asked to furnish figures.