Hitting back at Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Bharatiya Janata Party on the free rice scheme issue, All India Congress Committee secretary Sanjay Dutt, who is in-charge for the Union Territory, said on Monday that Ms. Bedi and the BJP were enacting a drama by making false allegations.
Mr. Dutt told presspersons here that the government had clarified that the procurement was transparent and open for any scrutiny. The Assembly resolution reiterating the right of an elected government to distribute rice in kind and not crediting the amount meant for rice in the bank account of beneficiaries had rattled Ms. Bedi and the BJP.
“The filing of petition by the BJP seeking a probe is a stage managed affair. The government has clarified that it is ready to clear apprehension, if any, and face any inquiry. The issue is there for the last several months and now they are seeking a probe. They will fall into their own trap,” he said.
In a democracy, the will of the people mattered more than anything else. The free rice distribution was an election promise of the Congress and after coming to power it was the responsibility of the government to deliver on its promise. The elected representatives supported the government resolution on rice distribution, he said.
Stating that the BJP adopted double standards on free rice, Mr. Dutt said the party never questioned implementation of the scheme in Tamil Nadu where the AIADMK was its ally.
Chidambaram’s arrest
Questioning the arrest of former Finance Minister P. Chidamabaram, the AICC leader said the National Democratic Alliance government had taken a vindictive stand as Mr. Chidambaram had exposed its policy failures.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Chidambaram had correctly predicted the negative impact of demonetisation and flawed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax on the economy.
Later, the AICC secretary joined a protest on Rangapillai Street, led by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy against the arrest of Mr. Chidambaram and also that of the former Karnataka Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
