Food Minister K V Thomas on Thursday said the Centre will examine the newly-formed Karnataka government's demand to provide additional quantity of rice to BPL families in order to fulfill its election promise.
In its election manifesto, the Congress had promised supply of 30 kg of rice at Re 1 per kg via public distribution system (PDS) to 9.81 million BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the state.
"Normal allocation of foodgrains via PDS will continue to the state. Above that, we will look into the demand for additional supplies," Thomas told reporters after a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here.
Siddaramaiah, who is in Delhi on his maiden visit after assuming office on May 13, met the Food Minister and sought the support of the Centre to implement the election manifesto and requested for supplying more quantity of rice instead of wheat to BPL families in the state.
Immediately after taking oath as chief minister, Siddaramaiah held his first official meeting with the chief secretary and other secretaries and decided to implement the 30 kg rice supply scheme with effect from June 1, 2013 as promised in the election manifesto ahead of May 5 elections.
He said the government was aware of the financial conditions of the state and the new subsidized rice scheme will not be a big burden on the exchequer. The implementation of the rice scheme would result in an additional financial burden of Rs 460 crore to the state government per annum.
At present, each BPL family gets 35 kg of wheat and rice every month through ration shops. Rice is given at Rs 5.65 per kg, while wheat at Rs 4.15 per kg. The Karnataka government will incur additional subsidy of Rs 460 crore per annum for supplying 30 kg of rice at Re 1 per kg to each BPL family every month.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Siddaramaiah described his visit as a courtesy call. The Prime Minister had earlier congratulated Siddaramaiah on his election as Chief Minister of Karnataka and wished him "well for the future."
"It was just a courtesy call," the Chief Minister told reporters after meeting the PM.
During his stay in the capital, Siddaramaiah is expected to hold consultations with central leadership on the composition of his Cabinet. Shortly after his arrival here, he had made it clear that people with clean image will find place in his Cabinet to be formed in a couple of days.
Siddaramaiah was chosen the Congress Legislature Party leader on Saturday after he upstaged party warhorse Union Minister Mallikarjun Kharge for the coveted post.
Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief G Parameshwara had led the Congress battle against BJP in the May 5 assembly polls, which paid rich dividends as the party riding on anti- incumbency put up an impressive show winning 121 seats, eight more than the required strength in the 224-member House.
