Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar has criticised Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa for his recent comments against the re-launch of the Anna Bhagya scheme by the Congress government in the State.
The scheme had been launched to alleviate hunger and poverty. Being a veteran politician, Mr. Eshwarappa should avoid passing such insensitive comments, Mr. Ratnakar said at a press conference here on Monday.
Earlier, Mr. Eshwarappa had told presspersons here a few days ago that the Congress government had re-launched the Anna Bhagya scheme of providing five kg. rice each to every member of below the poverty line family (BPL) for free, keeping an eye on the upcoming gram panchayat elections.
Mr. Ratnakar said, it was incorrect to link the Anna Bhagya scheme with gram panchayat elections.
Poll promise
The Congress, in its manifesto for the Legislative Assembly elections, had announced that rice would provided to all BPL families at subsidised price. Immediately after assuming charge as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah launched the scheme. The State government had now re-launched the scheme with the intention of reaching its benefits to more number of BPL families. Owing to the fear of suffering defeat in the gram panchayat elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were passing such cynical comments, he said.
Rice scheme aims at alleviating povertyMinister of State for Primary and Secondary Education:Kimmane Ratnakar
