'Buy millets directly from farmers for Indira Kits': Farmer rights groups

Farmer rights groups on Tuesday urged the state government not to leave its Indira Nutritional Food Kit Scheme in the hands of the private contractors and urged direct procurement.

On October 9, the government decided to provide tur dal/moong dal/cooking oil along with 5 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme, one of the five guarantees of the Siddaramaiah government.

Savings for govt

The move is aimed at saving Rs 306 crore for the government and Rs 630 crore for poor households buying such items from the open market.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Raita Swaraj and other groups urged the government to directly procure ragi, jowar, tur dal, cooking oil and other food materials from farmers.

“The government is planning to invite tenders for this programme. By doing so, it will lose out on an opportunity to benefit Karnataka’s farmers in a unique and path-breaking manner,” the joint statement said.

Localised procurement

The groups urged the government to set up localised procurement and distribution models for pulses, oil seeds as well as millets to increase employment.

“We want to urge the Karnataka state government not to take shortcuts when all-round prosperity is possible with the amounts being spent,” the statement signed by Badagakapura Nagendra, Kavitha Kuruganti and others said.