Joshi warns of subsidy cut if PMGKAY receipts, messages not issued

Hubballi: Charging that the Congress government in the state is not issuing receipts or sending messages to those getting 5 kg rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) just to avoid prime minister's name and to keep people ignorant about the Centre's scheme, Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday warned that the Centre may take action like stopping subsidy to the state government if it continues such practice.

"They (Congress) are trying to politicise, to avoid PM's name and to make people unaware that it is a Central scheme. If PMGKAY receipts or messages are not issued to beneficiaries, Centre can stop some subsidies, which have we not done so far.

"We may do that is this practice continues. If receipt is given or message is sent, misuse like drawing ration from some 'silent' ration cards can be prevented, while such card holdres will also know that they have a card and ration is issued in that name," he said.

Asking the state government to issue PMGKAY receipts or send messages to beneficiaries, he said, "don't allow us to take some forcible action".

As per Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa's request, we agreed to supply jowar, but the state government has not provided Rs 344 crore for that. Against the purchase of paddy from farmers, the state government has not yet paid them around 584 crore, though we reimburse that after the claim comes, Joshi noted.

He also claimed that wastage of food grains at FCI godowns and during transportation has been brought down drastically using modern technology. Godowns with 1.77 lakh tonnes of capacity are being built on PPP model on FCI lands at different places, Joshi added.

'Delhi visit for survival'

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar went to New Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi regarding CM's post and for their survival. Meeting Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was just for their show, and in fact, they were there to meet Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi not giving appointment shows how adamant the fake Gandhi family is, and what is the eligibility of Siddaramaiah," Joshi critcised.

We know what the internal agreement (regarding power sharing) is in Congress, and how severe is the infighting there. Either Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar is telling lie. Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge should give clarity, he said.

Karnataka has become a heaven for terrorists, and they feel those in power here are their friends and well-wishers, Joshi charged.

Joshi also said, State BJP president would be elected through election process which the party always follows, while the leadership is observing the statements of leaders of any group.