CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury criticizes central government for asking payment for food grains given to Kerala during floods; says it is inhumane and must be avoided

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, has said that it is inhumane to ask the payment of food grains that the central government gave to Kerala during the floods. He was responding to the statements made by Union Minister, Piyush Goyal, in the Rajya Sabha.

The CPI(M) leader said that as the central government is receiving more revenues from GST, these kinds of reimbursements from the states should be avoided. He added that this demand is unprecedented.

Earlier, a big political controversy broke out when the central government asked the payment of the rice given to the state during floods. The state replied that the center must not ask for payment of the rice given during a calamity.

However, Piyush Goyal shot a letter last month to the Chief Minister saying that an extra amount of 89,540 tons of rice was given and if the payment is not done then the share of the center or the subsidy amount will be cut. The state government then decided to pay Rs.205.81 crores as payment.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, the Union Minister criticized the state government again. He said that the rice grains given during the floods was not free and now Kerala government is changing its statement. He also asked the state government to spend the money given by the central government.

Piyush Goyal also accused the Kerala government for not doing its duty towards the people. He reminded that there is no unusualness in asking payment for the food grains.