New Delhi (Agency): Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Tuesday that the Centre has declined to provide rice from its stocks to several states in order to prevent an increase in the price of the grain in the open market. Goyal clarified that the decision was made to ensure that people across the country can continue to purchase rice at affordable rates. His comments come amidst a political controversy over the refusal of rice supply to Karnataka.
Goyal, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, informed reporters at the BJP headquarters that a committee of secretaries had decided to keep the stock of rice in central reserves to serve the entire population of the country, which amounts to approximately 140 crore people. He added that states can purchase rice from the market if they are in need.
The politics surrounding the supply of rice to Karnataka intensified on Tuesday as both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP staged demonstrations in different parts of the state. The Congress protested in all district headquarters, accusing the BJP-led Centre of denying rice for the Karnataka government’s Anna Bhagya scheme. Meanwhile, several BJP leaders, including former CM Basavaraj Bommai, were detained during protests against the alleged failure of the Congress government to provide 10 kg of rice to each member of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Goyal mentioned that despite demands for rice from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has refused to provide additional quantities. The objective is to maintain the rice stock within the country to prevent any rise in prices and ensure that rice is available at affordable rates across the nation.
Under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), the central government has recently discontinued the sale of rice and wheat from its reserves to state governments. The purpose of this measure is to release surplus grains into the open market, thereby increasing the supply of wheat and rice and curbing any price rise.
Goyal emphasized, “We want the rice stock to be available within India so that there is no rise in the price of rice in the country and it is sold at a cheaper rate in every nook and corner of the country. The 140 crore people of the country need to be able to buy rice.”
The decision to refuse rice supply from central reserves aims to maintain sufficient stock to cater to the needs of the entire population while ensuring that rice remains affordable for consumers.
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