Bhubaneswar, Jul 4: Ruling BJD yesterday claimed that Odisha was not the only state which distributed less quantity of subsidised rice among poor families, but some Congress-ruled states also did so.
"We are not the only ones who give 25 kg of subsidised rice to BPL families instead of 35 kg monthly quota. Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka also distribute less than 25 kg grain to BPL families even as Centre sanctions 35 kg grain," BJD Vice-president and Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya told a press meet.
The assertions were made a day after opposition Congress announced its plan to launch a FIR against the state government accusing it of depriving 10 kg rice to BPL families every month.
OPCC President Jaydev Jena had yesterday accused the state government of "siphoning rice for the poor". He also threatened to take the matter to the court and create awareness among the BPL families.
Terming the Congress's move as a political gimmick, Acharya asked how can the state give 35 kg of rice to each BPL family when the Centre allocates less amount of grain to Odisha.
The Centre allocates BPL rice at the rate of 35 kg per family per month for 22.35 lakh BPL families and 5.41 lakh APL families in poverty stricken KBK region of the state. Odisha government has been distributing cheap rice at the rate of 25 kg per family per month to 36.91 lakh BPL families and 5.41 lakh KBK APL families.
"We are not diverting any rice. But, procure additional rice to feed more people. In order to provide rice to all BPL and KBK APL families, the state has to incur an additional expenditure of about Rs 189 crore per annum," Food and Supplies minister P K Deb said.
