Polls near, Gogoi to roll out food security

CM blames NDA government for ‘delay’ in implementing scheme that UPA government had introduced

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 19: The State government will roll out the Food Security Act across Assam on December 24, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi informed today.

Gogoi said the scheme will benefit 2.4 crore people in the State.

"The NDA government has been creating hurdles. Otherwise we could have implemented the scheme about a year back," Gogoi said at a press conference here.

"All beneficiary families will be able to get rice at Rs 3 per kg. It would be a huge relief for poor people who have been bearing the brunt of soaring prices of essential commodities,"  said the Chief Minister, adding that the government is trying to bring down the rate at which the subsidized rice will be provided further.

Meanwhile, justifying the demonstrations he and other Congress leaders staged in front of Parliament, Gogoi said, “We have been denied our dues. I have written 18 letters and memorandums to the Central government, but there has been no positive response. We had no other option but to register our protest.”

“I will fight if anyone blocks the process of development in the State,” the Chief Minister said.

Coming down heavily on the State BJP leaders who he termed “spineless”, Gogoi said, “They can only make noise in the State. They cannot say anything in Delhi and raise issues there concerning the State.”

Gogoi also lambasted the tiol media for “failing to give due importance to the genuine problems facing the State.”

The Chief Minister also took a dig at Aruchal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa for “trying to topple the Congress government in the neighbouring State.”

“Everybody knows what is happening. He was a Chief Secretary. He should know the rules and regulations. He is working at the behest of the BJP to topple the Congress government there,” Gogoi said.

“Even in Assam, the Governor is making similar moves, but hasn’t been successful,” Gogoi added.a