Date:11/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/11/stories/2006081121330300.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

Federation opposes move to divert rice

Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE: The Federation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Organisations and district units of AHINDA, Campaign Against Child Labour - Karnataka, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha and People's Union For Civil Liberties have urged district in-charge Minister B. Nagaraj Shetty to ensure that the 3,000 tonnes of rice allocated to Dakshina Kannada under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana is utilised locally.

They have opposed any move to divert the same to Davangere district.

Demand for shift

President of the federation Lolaksha demanded that Mr. Shetty direct the revenue authorities to shift the rice from the Food Corporation of India godown to the warehouse of the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation.

Lack of concern

He alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had diverted 34,000 tonnes of rice. This was an indicator of the lack of concern for the plight of the poor.

Inaction

"Although the Minister was apprised by the officials of such a move at the quarterly review meeting of the Karnataka Development Programme held here recently, Mr. Shetty had failed to act on the information," he claimed.

Senior revenue officials, however, clarified that the whole transaction had been carried out in a transparent manner and as per the directions of the Government.