The Congress on Wednesday said the Union government discontinued the sale of foodgrains from the Central pool under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to State governments to “scuttle” the Karnataka government’s Anna Bhagya Scheme and claimed that the Narendra Modi government was “anti-poor”.
The Anna Bhagya Scheme is one of the five pre-poll guarantees of the Congress under which 10 kg rice is promised to every below poverty line (BPL) family in the State. Now, the Punjab government has come forward to supply the rice required for Karnataka’s Anna Bhagya Scheme.
“Most recent chronology of Modi’s anti-poor and vendetta politics: May 13th, 2023: PM and BJP rejected comprehensively by people of Karnataka. June 2nd, 2023: CM Karnataka announces implementation of Anna Bhagya guarantee from July 1st that will give 10kg free foodgrains to poor families. June 13th, 2023: Union Government issues circular banning sale of rice from FCI to states under Open Market Sale Scheme. This is done to scuttle Anna Bhagya,” tweeted Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh.
Mr. Ramesh said the Karnataka government was willing to pay the Food Corporation of India (FCI) ₹3,400 per quintal but that window was closed. “But the FCI continues to sell rice at ₹2,000 per quintal for ethanol production and blending of petrol. Food security should be of paramount concern at all times,” he said.
A recent order of the FCI had said the sale of wheat and rice under the OMSS (domestic) for State governments is discontinued. However, northeastern States, hill States and States facing law and order situations and natural calamities were exempt from the order.
