The Karnataka government has proposed to procure rice from the Central government’s National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and Central Bhandar, and its availability and price will be known in a week’s time, said Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs K.H. Muniyappa.
Speaking to The Hindu after a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other officials, Mr. Muniyappa said three agencies of the Centre would inform the State about the availability of rice and the quantum to be supplied per month.
The Central government’s Food Corporation of India has refused to give rice because it would disturb the programmes for the poor. “They have tonnes of rice. They say that they will auction to private organisations, but not to States. They are not willing to give rice despite the fact that we will be paying for it. One kg of rice can be obtained at a cost of ₹36.70,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
