Sat Nov 22 14:12:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text:

The text is a news report from The Hindu e-paper, published on November 22, 2025. It details a press conference held by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Hubballi, where he accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of lying about the Union government’s maize procurement and import policies. Joshi claims Siddaramaiah is attempting to cover up the state government’s shortcomings in supporting maize farmers. He challenges Siddaramaiah to explain why distilleries in Karnataka haven’t been directed to procure maize for ethanol production at the minimum support price. Joshi also refutes the claim that the Union government imported a large quantity of maize, stating that imports were minimal while exports were significant and import duties were high. He highlights the increased allocation of maize for ethanol production by the Union government and criticizes the state government for failing to ensure farmers benefit from this increased demand.

Here’s a rewritten news article based on the text:

Union Minister Accuses Karnataka CM of Misleading Public on Maize Policy

HUBBALLI, November 22, 2025 – Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, today launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of spreading misinformation regarding the Union government’s maize procurement and import policies.

Speaking at a press conference in Hubballi, Minister Joshi alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is deliberately misleading the public in an attempt to deflect criticism from the state government’s alleged failures in supporting maize farmers.

“Instead of taking concrete steps to ensure maize procurement and provide adequate support to our farmers, the Chief Minister is resorting to blatant lies to cover up the state government’s ineffectiveness,” stated Joshi.

The Union Minister questioned why the state government has not mandated distilleries within Karnataka to partner with the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to guarantee maize procurement for ethanol production. He further challenged the Chief Minister to explain why distilleries haven’t been compelled to purchase maize at the minimum support price.

Joshi vehemently denied claims that the Union government had imported 70 lakh metric tons of maize, labeling the statement a “blatant lie.” He clarified that only 0.5 lakh metric tons of maize had been imported during the current fiscal year, while exports amounted to 2.52 lakh metric tons. He emphasized that a 50% import duty on maize effectively discourages imports.

“There has been a significant increase in the allocation of maize for ethanol and industrial use under the Union government,” Joshi asserted. “While the Union government is creating increased demand for maize, the state government is failing to translate this into tangible benefits for the farmers.”

Minister Joshi urged the Karnataka government to take immediate corrective measures to address the challenges faced by maize farmers, rather than blaming the central government for the state’s problems. The Union Minister’s accusations mark a significant escalation in the political tensions between the Union and state governments regarding agricultural policy.

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