Karnataka Chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday dismissed reports that the BJP government wanted to curtail the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme offering free rice to poor people.
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah had warned of protests by his party if the BJP-led government in Karnataka meddled with the scheme
"These are all false news.. There is no need for the former chief minister (Siddaramaiah) to panic," Yediyurappa told reporters in Delhi.
Siddaramaiah had expressed apprehension that the BJP government wanted to reduce the quantity of rice given to the poor people.
"I learnt that the amount of rice given under Anna Bhagya scheme will be curtailed and funds will be diverted to the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Scheme.
This decision is anti-poor," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
Claiming that there was a proposal to cut down the quantity of rice given under the pro-poor scheme, he wanted the state government not to tamper with it.
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"Poor people will not tolerate this move. Our party will also protest against this decision. We will fight against it inside and outside the assembly," the former Chief Minister said.
In 2013, the "Anna Bhagya" scheme was unveiled by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah providing seven kg rice to each BPL card holder in the state.
The Congress leader had also accused the BJP government of not releasing funds for the 'Indira Canteens' in Bengaluru.
Dismissing the charges, Yediyurappa said there was no basis for it.
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