Rai warns against misuse of Anna Bhagya scheme

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

July 10, 2013

Mangalore, Jul 10: “I work as a domestic help to eke out living. There are a dozen members in my family. We need at least 40 kg rice every month. Distribution of at Re 1/kg will surely benefit of family,” said a Kanaka, 50-year-old woman.

Kanaka, who hails from Mulihithlu on the outskirts of the city was one of the beneficiaries of the Siddaramaiah led Karnataka government's ambitious initiative to supply 30 kg of rice at Re one to nearly one crore poor families across the state.

Janaki, another beneficiary from the same area said her 10 member family needed at least 40 kg rice every month. “The government's new scheme is a of a great help for us,” she said.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment and Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge B Ramanath Rai inaugurated the 'Anna Bhagya Yojane,' flagship programme at Town Hall in the city on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Rai said that both officials and citizens should work in coordination to ensure that the programme reaches out the deserved and needy people.

Terming the event as a historic occasion, he also warned against the misuse of the prop-poor project of the Congress government.

“By distributing rice at Re 1/kg, the Congress government has fulfilled one of its promises in the election manifesto. Poor people of the state should take benefit of this project. Nobody should misuse this scheme,” he said.

Stating that quality rice will be distributed to the beneficiaries Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sharanabasappa said that the card holders must use the distributed rice for their household needs and should not think of selling it in black market. “If we found any such illegality, then those families would lose BPL cards and also face legal action,” he said.

Mangalore City South MLA J R Lobo and Mangalore City North MLA B A Moideen Bava was also present on the occasion.

Beneficiaries

In Dakshina Kannada district a total of 1,79,293 people are expected to be benefited from Anna Bhagya scheme. This includes Mangalore non rationed area—21,144 families, TMC and town panchayat limits—13,872, rural areas—1,44,277 families. This includes about 21,307 Anthyodaya card holders.

A card with one member will get 10 kilograms of rice; with two members will get 20 kg; and card with three or more members will get 30 kg of rice.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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