The Karnataka government today said it would not hesitate to invoke stringent laws, including the Goondas Act, to curb misuse of foodgrains distributed to BPL families under a flagship scheme of the ruling Congress.
"The government will not hesitate to invoke strict laws against people misusing supply of foodgrains under the Anna Bhagya scheme," Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao told the Legislative Council.
The 10-day winter session of the state legislature commenced here today.
Raising the issue, M C Nanaiah (JDS) said the government should use iron-clad laws, including the Goondas Act, against those misusing foodgrains distributed under the scheme.
Gundu Rao said as many as 22 cases have been registered against offenders and licences of over 47 fair price shops suspended. Also, a rice mill owner has been arrested in Hassan district, the minister added.
Referring to a demand for extending the Anna Bhagya scheme to Above Poverty Line (APL) categories, Gundu Rao said it would be done once the Union government's Food Security Scheme comes into force.
