570 people held in Karnataka for illegal hoarding, sale of 'Anna Bhagya' rice: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday informed the Legislative Council that 570 people across the state have been arrested for the illegal hoarding and sale of rice intended for the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme.
The Minister, who holds the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology portfolio, was replying to a starred question by MLC C T Ravi at the ongoing session in Suvarna Soudha here.
Ravi alleged that the Anna Bhagya rice is being smuggled to Singapore and Dubai, where it is being sold at a higher price.
According to the BJP MLC, the 10 kg rice, which is distributed in Karnataka free of cost to individuals belonging to the Below Poverty Line, is sold for prices ranging between Rs 1,500 to Rs 8,000.
The rice for the BPL families is polished in the rice mills and sold in foreign countries.
ALSO READ: Leadership change: Will abide by Cong high command decision, says Siddaramaiah
Responding to the charge, the Minister said 29,603.15 quintals of illegally traded rice has been seized and 314 vehicles used in the operations have been confiscated.
In Yadgir district, officers from other departments who had been serving in the Food Department have been relieved of their duty, while the KFCSC warehouse in Gangavati taluk of Koppal district has been suspended.
He said officers and field staff have been instructed to conduct regular supervision to curb illegal storage and sale of ration rice, adding that criminal cases are being registered under the “Essential Commodities Act, 1955.”
The Minister warned that if ration cardholders are found misusing ration rice, their ration cards will be cancelled and action will follow as per rules.
He said, “Vigilance committees have been formed at the fair-price shop, taluk, district and State levels to oversee ration distribution.”
Muniyappa added that monthly ‘Food Adalats’ are being held at the fair-price shop level to create awareness among beneficiaries, and that a State-level ‘Food Vigilance Squad’ has been constituted to act against violations as per norms.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
