March 21, 2013
Chief Minister reiterates her stand to provide rice at Rs. 2 a Kg to BPL card holders
`I am aggrieved to hear that Central government is planning to stop providing rice at Rs. 2 a Kg, it is their duty to provide but they stop, then we will continue to provide within whatever limited resources we have. I would not have taken any assistance from the UPA government if we had sufficient funds in our coffer`, these were the opening words of the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee during her recent visit to Jangalmahal. `This is my 19th visit to Jangalmahal, and if you take Bankura visit into consideration they this is my 20th visit to Jangalmahal`, said the Chief Minister.
While addressing the gatherings at Binpur in Jhargram and Karapara in Bankura respectively, the Chief Minister reiterated that it was the duty of the UPA government to provide rice at subsidized rate to the BPL card holders in the region but if the Centre shrugs off from their responsibilities and stop providing the rice at Rs. 2 a KG then the State Government would have no other option but to provide the same since the State government cannot abandon the poor people and leave to die in hunger.
`I am surprised that today the Central government has announced that it will not be possible for them to provide rice at subsidized rates to the BPL card holders. I am shocked. The UPA is acting in a most arbitrary manner. They are going on increasing the prices of all essential commodities like petrol, diesel and doing away with the subsidy on Liquefied petroleum Gas (LPG). There should be a limit to everything`, said the Chief Minister.
However, she said that though the state is short of funds yet it will not abandon the poor people in Jangalmahal and will continue to provide the rice at subsidized rate. `I do not commit anything superfluously. I commit only when I am certain that I will be able to keep my word, I assure my poor brothers and sisters in Jangalmahal that even if Centre stops the aid, I will continue to provide the rice at Rs. 2 a Kg to BPL holders and this is my conviction`, added the Chief Minister.
Share:
