Difference in price for purchase of rice in Karnataka becomes a matter of debate

16-Jul-2024 12:27 PM

Bangalore. There has been a huge difference in the prices of rice purchased by the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the Education Department in Karnataka.

This has given the opposition party an issue to corner the government. It says that the Education Department is paying at the rate of Rs 2930 per quintal.

How did this price difference happen and why is there no coordination between the two departments.

Why is rice being purchased at a higher price by the Food Corporation? It is worth mentioning that the Education Department of Karnataka has to buy rice for Akshara Dasoha and the Food and Supplies Department has to buy rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme.

There is a difference of about Rs 500 per quintal in the price of rice being purchased by both the departments.

The opposition party says that there has been a scam of about Rs 120 crore in the purchase of rice. It is being said that the quality of the rice which the Education Department is purchasing at a low price is not good.

The opposition party says that this is a matter of even more serious concern because it can affect health. Karnataka's Food Minister has said that rice is being purchased from three central agencies at the price fixed by it and the entire process is transparent. The Centre had refused to give rice to Karnataka.